CONTROL OF TRAFFIC.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 December 1920, Page 5

CONTROL OF TRAFFIC.

QUESTION QP REGULATION WHO IS RESPONSIBLE? The regulation. of pedestrian traffic in New Plymouth was discussed by the Borough Council last night, and various phases of the task of controlling crowds on busy days came under review. .

The subject was brought up in the monthly 'report of the Chief Inspector (Mr. R. Day), who stated that in conjunction with the police a good deal of •time had been put in on the control of 'footpath traffic. The report continued: "There is a decided improvement in the streets, but it is a constant job and, at the best, particularly tiring, and it is almost hopeless to endeavor to get the matter improved." After the report was read, Cr. Sykea ; expressed the opinion that if the inspector had any reason to complain they should bring the matter under the notice of the police, whose duly it was to look after the traffic.

The general manager (Mr. F. T. Bellringer) explained that the Council had instructed the inspector to carry out the by-laws, and also seek the assistance of the police, who had since rendered what assistance they could. The commencement was alright and there was a big improvement on the first few Saturdays; it was only a- matter of keeping the work going, and he was of the opinion that the Council having started should see the matter through. Cr. Sykes replied that it should not be necessary for the inspector to make complaint. The work was absolutely neglected in comparison with otheT places where the police moved the traffic on, as was their duty. The general manager said that the police had not been able to take up the matter, and the Council decided to undertake the supervision of pedestrian traffic, with the assistance of the police. Having taken it up the Council should see it through. It was not exactly a police duty aa it involved the enforcement of the by-laws..

The-; ; Mayor: said that th%' inspector should have, -some badge as a sign of his .authority to -deal. With traffic.

Inspector Djty sail} that a badge was now by, the Inspector on duty. People did no( object to move on, but nevertheless the work became fairly tiresome. There -was only one policeman on duty. The, Mayor remarked' that the inspector,hail the backing of the by-laws. He fjnfored making use of them if there was. any trouble about controlling the truffle. °

Cr. S.vlms saM that on Saturdays the congestion of- traffic was disgraceful, and at one place a 'wdJnan had to cross over to the other side of the street in order to pass. Inspector Day and his staff had quite enough to do without this work, and further, people would take more notice of a police officer. If there was onTy one policeman ,on duty the Council should make endeavors to secure another one for duty on Saturdays.

A resolution was jnoved by Cr. Sykcs and seconded by Cr. Short 'in favor of drawing:.the' attention of.the Inspector of Police to the mntter.

The Mayor snid it was doubtful whether the police were bound to fake up the work. In reply to Cr. Svkes, he pointed out that in the cities 'the. corporations paid the Justice Department certain sums annually in return for the police supervision of'the traffic in btisv places. Subsequently the resolution, was withdrawn, and the Council decided to let the matt j- stand over.