TRAFFIC CONTROL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 November 1941, Page 4

TRAFFIC CONTROL

CROSSINGS TO BE LAID NEAR THE CENTRAL SCHOOL. BUT BOROUGH COUNCIL DENIES RESPONSIBILITY. “A rose by any other name. . . .” commented Councillor H. E. Gardner at last night's meeting of the Masterton Borough Council when it was decided to instruct the engineer to lay “unauthorised” pedestrian crossings near the Central School, following application by the headmaster, Mr E. G. Coddington. Mr Coddington stated in his letter that the matter of laying crossings was of considerable concern to the school committee and parents. He contended that it was the moral responsibility of the council to lay them. “It is not our moral responsibility,” observed the Mayor, Mr T. Jordan. Councillor W. Kemp considered that it was wrong for school children to be all over the road. He held that pedestrian crossings would confine the children to definite lines. Mr Jordan: “There are school monitors on duty.” Councillor Kemp said this was of very little use. Commenting on the necessity for traffic control, he said he had seen as many as five Wairarapa College boys cycling abreast. They had made faces at him when he had spoken to them. Councillor C. E. Grey spoke in support of the crossings. He said that if a motorist had wet brakes there was a possibility of an accident. Councillor G. D. Wilson suggested that if the school was given permission to lay the crossings they could be laid without being actual pedestrian crossings within the meaning of the term. Following expressions of opinion by other councillors, it was decided to lay crossings near the school. “The angels above will be pleased to know that the sinners are repenting,” said Councillor Gardner. “You are laying pedestrian crossings but you do not like to say so.”