CARLTON CORNER.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18676, 27 April 1926, Page 9

CARLTON CORNER.

PROPOSEdi»ETROL STATION OPPOSITION BY COUNCILLORS. Varying opinions were expressed aft Inst night's meeting of the City Council on the proposal by the Works Committee to purchase an area of land at the corner of the Carlton Mill road and Papanui road. The committee'* report wus as follows: "A special mooting was held on Friday nfternoou to consider the question of the erection of a petrol seme* station oh the trinngular piece of land in front of the Carlton Hotel, and it » of opinion that if this land is allowed it will block the view of traffic proceeding in an easterly direction afong Bealey avenue and also traffic proceeding southwards along Papanm road. <\fter giving the matter careful consideration, the committee suggest* that it be a recommendation to the By-law* nnt! Finance Committee to refuse to grant the permit for the erection of buildings on the site, and that steps be taken to acquire the land under the Public V'orks Act." Cr. E. H. Andrews said the committee had had the idea of acquiring u small area of land at the corner, with a view to making it safer for traffic. While it was {riving the matter consideration, an application was received for a permit to erect a baildine. Some of the members of the committee considered that the erection of a building would cause a dangerous obstruction. It was considered by other members that it might be iim emu i to take a smaller ana to round ok the cornor, but if this were done the petrol station would be built. Looking to the future, it would, in his opinion, bo advisable for the City to purchase tho land. Cr. Andrews moved the adoption of the report. No Cause for Apprehension. Cr. C. T. Aschman seconded the resolution pro forma, but declared his opposition to the proposal. He did not think the advantages would be commensurate with the expenditure advocated. The corner would not bo a dangerous one for 30 or iO years. Cr. E. McComba also opposed tho motion. Bealey avenue was very wide, and there was plenty of room at the corner. If the Council had not sufficient money to buy land for a playground in a crowded area, it shonld not i?o in for luxuries lit* tbafc advocated. .Cr. J. N. Du Feu said the matter was out of order, and it should be first considered by the By-lairs Committee. Cr. Andrews said the matter was brought forward in a somewhat informal manner, so that the Council could express an opinion on it, and the peopto concerned would know how they stood. Cr. Du Feu said the corner was not dangerous—it was awiward. No accidents had occurred there for 00 or 70 years. He moved tint the Council grant,the permit for the erection of. the petrol station at once. A Valuable Site. Cr. W, J. Sim said the land would be very costly. Cr. W. E. Leadloy said they should, if they possibly could, stop the site from being taken for a petrol st&tion, ns it wculd cause danger to trafic. It would make a hairpin bend of th» t'irn from Bealey avenue into Papanui road north. Cr. A D. Ford Baid the corner wan dangerous, and the erection of a petrol station would be a menace. He would be very sorry to see the land used for buildings. The petrol pump business who being overdone. "There an more petrol pumps than pubs m Christchurch," declared Cr. Ford. Ha said lie was is favour of the committee's recommendation. The Mayor said the recommendation was not the opinion of all the members of tho Works Committee., : ' Cr. Dn Feu said the sit? was ideal for a petrol station. "If the station blows up," said Cr. Du Feu, "it will only set fire to the hotel, and thai won't matter." V It was agreed to rpfer the matter to the By-laws Committee.