“Ten Years Too Soon”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 589, 15 February 1929, Page 1

“Ten Years Too Soon”

TRAFFIC OUTLET PROPOSALS

Northern Route Wanted

ACCORDING to Mr. M. J. Bennett, president of the Karangahape Business Men's Association, many business men in that area do not regard ihe City Council's traffic outlet proposals with any great enthusiasm. According to one business man interviewed by a Sun representative this morning the proposals were “ten years ahead of their time. 1 ’

“If the Morningside deviation is gone on with as promised by the recent Government, there would be sufficient traffic in Karangahape Road to warrant a traffic outlet as outlined in the Day Street scheme. In fact the sooner the better,” said Mr. Bennett. But at present the traffic in Karangahape Road did not warrant it. The Morningside outlet scheme was viewed by the association with some concern, and as soon as it could be arranged with Mr. J. S. Fletcher, M.P., a deputation would wait upon the Minister of Railways and urge the work to be put in hand as promised. The scheme had been favourably reported upon by the department, and it had been admitted that, apart from the great saving of time that would be effected, there would be an annual saving of at least £12,500 in haulage alone.

scheme, lie thought it might be useful in relieving congestion in Karanga - liape Road between Pitt Street and Symonds Street, but did not think the expense of making it a tramway cutlet was warranted at the present time. Further, ho did not think that th 3 ratepayers would be justified in spend - ing that money to provide an outlet for the Transport Board, and as for the Day Street scheme he thought it was a long way ahead of its time; unless, of course, it was made necessary by the adoption of the Morningside deviation scheme. He thought that under such circumstances the ratepayers would not readily approve of the expenses entailed by either scheme at the present time.

“The opinion of the Transport Board as to what routes will be affected by the proposed Belgium Street scheme will be awaited with interest,” said Mr. Bennett. “It is a matter upon which we have not yet heard anything very definite.”

“The northern outlet had been promised by the late Government, and the business men of Karangahape Road were firmly of the opinion that the promise should be carried out by the present Government,” he said. In regard to the Belgium Street

(Report of last evening’s discussion of the proposals b> the City Council v ill be found on page 10.>