DEADLY CROSSINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 84, 9 April 1925, Page 13

DEADLY CROSSINGS.

NEWMARKET STREETS.

jUE GOVERNMENT'S ATTITUDE

CONDEMNED BY COUNCIL.

Tor some time past, the Newmarket tooiiTh Council has been gravely conW with the dangeroua nature of fr7aihvav level-crossings in King Street Sd Victoria Crescent. Much correspon- « has passed between the council a the Railway Department, but, in pry ca«c, the "Department has given to the borough. Further and criticism took place at w evening's meeting of the council, hen there "was received from the Minister of Railways, a letter in which the Tvnm'tment expressed its regret that it rould not agree to the council s pronosal in regard to the erection of an overbridge at Victoria Creecent, unless the council agreed to close King Street. "We should not sit down quietly, under b letter of that sort," said the Mayor o f Kewmarket, Mr. S. Donaldson. '-We should make a strong protest to Parliament about the attitude of the officials in this matter. Why should we be treated differently to other parts of New Zealand!" he asked, pointing out that there were,' in Christchurch, numerous crossjiiirs just as close as the two under review, where men were provided. "VCe Ehould make a strong protest against being treated in this manner, especifilly"when the Department makes such an unwarranted and unfair suggestion regarding the closing of King Street," gaid Mr. Donaldson. This was approved.

At the conclusion of the evening's business, the Mayor again brought the matter up, suggesting that, in the meantime, action should be taken by the council to erect some more prominent notices at the approaches to the crossings. It would not be a very costly matter, added Mr. Donaldson, and, in fairness to the council and drivers of vehicles, he thought that the signs should be put up in places decided upon by the Streets Committee.

Mr. G. E, Smerdon thought that the Government should attend to the matter. Keepers should be placed at the crossings. Mr. J. T. Watts: If the signs save only one life, they'll be worth while. The Mayor: If the Government neglects its duty, we, as the borough guardians, jnust do something more than our duty. Mr. Smerdon: It's a strange thing that \?e cannot get anything, yet in 6mall country places they are being given wigjyag signals. The Mayor: It is hard to understand. A councillor remarked that certain fcuses, when laden with passengers, used the Victoria Crescent crossing.

The Mayor: We might even consider Jiaving a light there at night. Councillor O'Meara: When writing to the Minister we should take advantage of hie own argument that both streets are so dangerous that they should be closed. There is no doubt that the Government is absolutely callous in the matter, although it has decided responsibility. We should get up an agitation, and possibly the Automobile Asscoiation will incorporate with us. The Mayor stated that, after he had fceen in conversation with the Minister of Railways and he Departmental Engineer in Wellington, not long ago, he understood that the Department was quite prepared -to - erect-a bridge, providing the council constructed the approaches. The present stand taken was quite a change of attitude. "If they are going to force this idea aboet closing the roads, just to evade their responsibility, there are a lot of roads that they will have to close," concluded Mr. Donaldson. His opening resolution was carried. -