BEAUTY OR SAFETY ?

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16515, 10 June 1919, Page 7

BEAUTY OR SAFETY ?

« QUESTION OF ROUNDED CORNERS.

In one or two cases of new Btreeta being laid out recently, it has been decided that tho building line at tho corners is to bo rounded off. The question has been asked as to whether the kerbing and channelling at these corners is to follow the contour of the building lino, or to bo carried oat square. The City Council's By-laws and Finance Committee reported to the Council last evening that it had decided that the kerbing be also rounded, but possibly with a smaller radius than the building lino. Cr. Agar said if the Council adopted the rounded comers it was going to father more accidents than it would desire. (Hear, hear.) A roundod corner would allow a motorist to speed round it. The motorist would bo nil Tight, but God help tho little children. If the Council adopted the proposal iti would bo a standing disgrace to the city. (Hear, hear.) Cr. Peek endorsed' Cr. Agar's remarks. Cr. Beanland said Cr. Agar had convinced him of tho necessity for squaro corners. Cr. Herbert moved- that the matter be roferred back to the committee. Cr. Andrews said the committee worn not so emphatic regarding the rounding of the corner as the rounding of tho building line. The committee were not unfavourable to square corners. Cr. Armstrong did not consider tho rounded corner would be more dangerous, as both motorist and pedestrian had a clearer view. What they should do was to limit the speed of cara in tho centre of the city. (Hear, hear.) Cr. Hunter suggested tho referring of tho matter to tho Traffic Committee which it was proposed to set up. Cr. Flesher said they had to educate tho peoplo to the altered conditions oF traffic. 'What was the use of going in for town-planning and beautifying if they were going in for straight cornersP Upon a motion, the clause was carried by 10 votes to 6, the division list being as follows: — Aye: Crs. Andrews, Sullivan, Hunter, Langley, Armstrong, Burgoyno, Nicholls, McKollar, Flesher, and the Mayor. No: Crs. Beanland, * Peek, Herbert, Jameson, Agar, and Williams. .