THE MINISTER FOR PUBLIC WORKS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIII, Issue 11, 10 May 1912, Page 4

THE MINISTER FOR PUBLIC WORKS.

FENTON STREET RAILWAY CROSSING. The Mayor (Mr. W. P. Kirkwood) and Mr. N. J. King, waited upon the Hon. Mr. McDonald, Minister for Public 'Winks, this morning, in connection with the Fenton Street railway cross-: lug, and. pointed out to the, Minister the .yery. dangerous nature of the, crossing, particularly to school children. The deputation apologised for laying the matter before any but the responsible Minister in the matter (the Minister for Railways), and it was oply the urgency of something, being clout that, induced the deputation to ask Mr. McDonald for an interview so that he might be made acquainted with the circumstances and forward the representations through to the proper quarter. The deputation told the Minister that already a number of protests had been made to the Government of the dangerous nature of the crossing, but nothing , materially had been done to make the crossing really safe. As the outcome of several deputations to Ministers ~ a bell had Been installed at the crossing, but was nothing like loud enough to give proper warning of the approach of trains. The greatest danger was to school children, the greatest number of those attending the District High School (with an attendance of over 700) walk over the crossing every morning between B.JO a.nl. and 9 a.m., just at a time when the mail train and other trains are passing; also, in the afternoon, the children walk over the crossing after leaving school when the north and soutii trains pass. , The deputation suggested a sub-way, but the .Minister did not favour this idea. Ho thought a subway unsuitable for school children, as in all probability they would be tempted to climb on to the rails or hang from them in play. However, the Minister was very sympathetic, and expressed the opinion that it was certainly a case where proper precautions should be taken to ensure, the safety of the children’s lives, and he suggested an overhead bridge. The deputation said that if only a bridge the width of the footpath were carried over the rails, and this, would not be a wide span, it would possibly meet the case. The Minister promised to forward the representations made, to the Minister for Railways;, and would urge the necessity of -something effective being done. The deputation cordially thanked .the Minister, and withdrew.