DANGEROUS CORNER AT KOPUTAROA.

Shannon News, 13 April 1926, Page 3

DANGEROUS CORNER AT KOPUTAROA.

COUNTY TO TAKE STEPS.

The Levin Cotop. Dairy Co., Ltd., wrote to the Horowhenua Gounty Council at its meeting on Saturday stating that at a recent meeting of directors a resolution was passed, in relerence to the dangerous bend in the road at the Koputaroia store, reading as follows: “That this meeting recommends the County Council to remove some of the spoil on the corner opposite the store at Koputaroa, and, if necessary, purchase additional land to make this corner safe for motor traffic.” The Directors stated they would appreciate anyi action taken hy the Council to make this' corner safe for motor traffic.

Mr, E. D. Bell, chairman of a Koputaroa residents’ meeting, advised he had been instructed to write the Council, and again point out that sometlii’ng should he done to minimise the danger at the’ corner in front of the writer’s store. As the cutting leading u,p to the hill from the store is very narrow, the meeting suggested that the County Council should take steps to procure a piece of land from the Native owners, for the purpose of widening the cutting. Within the last three weeks, two fatal accidents had been averted only through the presence of mind of the drivers of the respective vehicles. This corner has been discussed by the Council at previous meetings, and the, writer understood that improvements were authorised. He would like to urge, on behalf of residents, and all users of the road, that the Council treat this as an urgent matter. The Chairman (Mr Monk) said the first thing he knew of this maiter was at a meeting at Koputaroa some little time ago, when itt had been mentioned by Mr Bell. That was the only recollection lie had of the subject being brought before the Council. The speaker suggested the question should be referred to the incoming Council, for their favourable consideration when framing the estimates.

Cr. Ryder said he would also like to point out the existence of a grave error at a similar corner at Otaki, near the Otaki Dairy Co.’s factory. A small portion of land had been taken by the Council, which had been found insufficient, and twice the amount of legal, expense was involved in order to procure additional land, when an extra expense of something like £5 in the initial instance, would have covered the whole portion. Gr. Broadfoelt remarked that the matter of improving the Koputaroa cutting had been brought before the Council some months prior to the meeting at Koputaroa. 1 He also had some recollection of the Engineer having been instructed to take a certain amount off the store side of the bank, and so widening the cutting. That had not been done. Unfortunately, there had recently been two very close shaves to accidents there. Perhaps one hundred per cent of the accidents that occurred were the fault of the drivers, who did not observe the rules of the read. It was going to cost the Levin Dairy Company £SO for repairs to one of its Mg' lorries which had to be run into the bank, to save an approaching lorry travelling on the wrong side of the road. If the lorry driver had failed to be in good control of his lorry, the other vehicle would have been smashed to atoms. If, say, six feet were taken off the post office corner slope at Koputaroa and up the hill, it would give drivers a better view of oncoming oars, and those standing in front .of the post office. That would fill the bill. Probably, if the rules of the road were observed, there would be no need for an accident anywhere in New Zealand. Gr. Harkness said this was a burning question, and lie had a recollection of the matter. Hie would like to ask the Engineer if anything could be done at once. Gr. Catley: If you widen the xo-ad to two chains, the cars will still stick to the corner. The Engineer said he thought so,, it there was provision on the estimates. He could put men on at once if the work was authorised. Finally, Gr. Broad'belt moved that the Engineer be instructed to at take not less than six feet off the right hand bank of the approach oi the cutting beyond the store at Koputaroa, and to shift the culvert over the necessary distance. This was carried. Gr Barber said tlie most necessary thing was vision—perhaps more important than widening the road.