ROAD TRAFFIC

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 September 1941, Page 7

ROAD TRAFFIC

UTILITY OF PEDESTRIAN , CROSSINGS BOROUGH COUNCIL TO GET OPINION. , DISCUSSION AT LAST NIGHT’S MEETING. A decision to obtain an opinion from the Commissioner of Transport and the Road Safety Council on the usefulness of pedestrian crossings was made at last night’s meeting of the Masterton Borough Council. Councillor G. W. Morice, in opening the discussion, said that he wished to move a motion that the Town Clerk be instructed to write to the Commissioner of Transport and the Road Safety Council to enquire for an opinion on the usefulness and utility of pedestrian crossings. The Mayor, Mr T. Jordan: “Do you think that they know ( more about Queen Street than we do?”

Councillor Morice: “Yes.” Mr Jordan: “I will not concede that anyone knows more about Queen Street than I do.”

Councillor Morice said that he wished to have the information as he was not an expert in the matter. The council should have an open mind on the subject. His intention was to obtain an opinion as to the general effect.

Councillor R. Russell seconded the motion.

Councillor W. Kemp said that he was not present at the last council meeting but he had spoken to regular road users and none could be pinned down to give a definite opinion. He held that crossings would mean a serious hold up in traffic. To carry out the job properly lights etc., would have to be erected.

Councillor G. D. Wilson said that several drivers had told him that Masterton should have crossings because every other town had them. Councillor R. Russell: “Every progressive town.” Councillor Wilson: “I am not disposed towards following other towns because it is the fashion.” Councillor Russell: “Some years ago they were abolished in Hastings because the paint was worn away, but public pressure brought them back.” Councillor W. White: “Because the borough engineer advised it.” The motion was put to the meeting, without further discussion and was carried. The Mayor was the only member of the council to vote against it. A report presented by the Borough Inspector, Mr T. A. Russell, stated that Masterton, in 1940, had the greatest number of motorists to population of any town in New Zealand. The number of motorists in Masterton was 1533 and the population 9,500. In other towns the figures were: Hamilton, 1522 (17,850); New Plymouth, 1167 ’ (17,400); Napier, 1126 (15,950); Lower Hutt, 1471 (21,000); Petone, 557 (14,000); Gisborne, 1324 (13,950). At the previous meeting of the council, the report stated, it had been suggested that Masterton had the worst drivers in New Zealand but the figures gave a very different picture, supporting the opposite view that Masterton motorists were among the best drivers in New Zealand. Pedestrians also had an excellent record. In the year under review, that ending on March 31 last, one fatality was caused in the borough, one in which a motor cyclist was killed when he ran into a post. One pedestrian was injured by a motor - vehicle on the northern approach, which was outside the congested area.