CONTROL OF TRAFFIC.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1920, Page 5

CONTROL OF TRAFFIC.

MORE POLICEMEN REQUIRED. CO-OPERATION WITH THE COUNCIL. "The police are hgre to assist in enforcing the by-laws as far as their strength will ') nit," eaid Inspector Hutton, in of the Taranaki police district, to a Daily News reporter yesterday, when the question. of the regulation of pedestrian traffic, and the recent Borough Council comment thereon, was brought under his notice. ■ The inspector stated that this had always been the attitude of the police in New .Plymouth, and he had only recently written to the Borough Council stating that he would co-operate with the Council as much as possible, and also would be glad to know of any cases in which members of the force failed to do their duty in carrying out the work. The strength of the force, however, was not sufficient for requirements, and about four more men were needed. Regarding conditions in New Plymouth generally, Inspector Hutton quotes the statement "of Mr. Poynton, S.M., who, when presiding at a, Magistrate's Court sitting some months ago. expressed the opinion that it was the most orderly town in which he had ever been. The public need educating up to the matter of pedestrian regulations (says Hutton) and he points out that in the first place the rule in New Plymouth was to keep to the left on the footpath. This was changed in 1917 to make the pedestrian traffic keep to the right, and has resulted in some confusion. The older residents still adhere to the first by-law, and others walk on the right side of the footpath, with a consequent mix-up in the traffic. In view of the discussion on the subject it is interesting to note that a person when walking along any footpath, who does not keep as nearly as practicable to the right-hand side, commits an offence under the by-laws. Another important clause which affects

footpath traffic is that which states that any person who loiters, ox stands in any one place after being' directed to move on by a constable, police officer, or inspector commits a breach of the by-laws. It was evidently this regulation to which the Mayor referred nt Monday night's meeting of the Council, when he reminded the Council's inspector that he had the backing of the bylaws in carrying out this duty.