ELIMINATION OF CROSSING

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22519, 29 September 1938, Page 7

ELIMINATION OF CROSSING

Overhead Bridge

Proposal

MINISTER’S REPLY TO

RANGIORA COUNCIL

Neither the Railway Department nor the Main Highways Board has so far considered any proposal for the elimination of the railway crossing on High street. Rangiora. Advice to this effect was contained in a letter from the Minister for Railways (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan), which was received by the Rangiora Borough Council at its monthly' meeting last evening. Objection to an overhead bridge being placed at the High street crossing was expressed bs the Mayor (Mr C. W Tyler) before Mr Sullivan when the Minister visited the district recently. It was suggested then by the Mavor that a wig-wag or flashlight signal at the crossing would give ample warning of approaching trains. “The Main Highways Board determines the advisability of eliminating railway level crossings situated on main highways and I would suggest,” wrote the Minister, “that you make representations to the board, stating your objections to an overhead bridge being erected! “Regarding your request that flashing light signals be installed at the crossing "for operation during the period when the time crossing-keeper is not on duty I am advised that between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. when the crossing is unattended the speed of all trains over the crossing is limited to four miles an hour. In addition, alarm bells at the crossing give warning of approaching trains. In view of the protection now afforded there should, provided road users take reasonable precautions, be little or no risk of an accident occurring at the crossing. "I have given careful consideration to your request that flashing light signals be erected at the crossing,” Mr Sullivan added, “but in view of the position as explained to me and also because there are many crossings where the need for warning signals Is greater than it is at High street, I very much regret that your request cannot be acceded to at present.” “I should say that, if the crossing does not require a wig-wag signal, it does not require an overhead bridge.” commented Cr. F. T. Ager. The letter was received.

LAWN TENNIS

NORTH CANTERBURY SUB-ASSOCIATION

PLAY IN SENIOR GAMES ON ALTERNATE SATURDAYS

Senior matches in the North Canterbury Lawn Tennis Sub-Association’s competitions will be played this year on alternate Saturdays. Intermediate and junior matches will be played each' Saturday. This decision was made by the sub-association at its .meeting in Rangiora on Tuesday evening. It was announced that all members of affiliated clubs would be entitled to enter for the championships. It was agreed to withdraw from the Browning Shield competition. The following officers were elected:— President. Mr A. C. Fraser; vice-presi-dents, Messrs H. Kelcher and A. Hirst; secretary, Mr I. W. Tweedie; treasurer. Father J. A. McKay; auditor, Mr E. D. .Fleming: executive committee, Messrs M. Lilley,, J. Scott. L. P. Devlin, H. Henry, Bennett; ladder and selection committee, the president, secretary, and Mr Lilley,

BANKS PENINSULA SUB-ASSOCIATION The annual meeting of the Banks Peninsula Tennis Sub-Association was held at Duvauchelle Bay on Tuesday evening. Mr A. Sbuttlewprth was in the chair. The balance-sheet showed a very favourable balance. The following officers were elected: Patron, Mr E. X. Le Lievre; president, Mr F. R. E. Davis; vice-presidents, Messrs F. Lewthwaite, A. Radford, A. Shuttleworth; honorary secretary and. treasurer, Mr V. Brocherie; honorary auditor, Mr S. C. Naismith; selectors, Messrs V. Brocherie, C. Minifie. W Bulman. It was decided to hold the Rhodes Cup competition, one round to be played fortnightly. Entries will close at a meeting on October 11, and it is hoped to start the competition on October 15. RANGIORA LIBRARY ISSUE OF BOOKS FOR MONTH A total of 8570 books and magazines was issued by the Rangiora library during the month, stated the librarian (Miss J, D. McAlpine) in'a report submitted to the Borough Council’s monthly meeting last evening. The books lent by the Government under its scheme for free library service were circulating freely, the average demand each day being about 21.

PERSONAL NOTES RANGIORA

Sympathy with the relatives of Archbishop Julius, Mr Hector Mclntosh. of Kaiapbi. and Mr R. J. Logan, of Greymouth. was expressed by the Rangiora Borough Council at its meeting last evening. Mr Logan was a former member of the council.

WAIKARI PLUNKET SOCIETY

The Waikari Plunket Society met recently. Mrs Blunden presided. Members stood as a mark of sympathy with the relatives of Mrs G. R. Macdonald, and Mr Seton KellawayNurse Merton’s report for August was:—Total cases and visitors at Waikari. 95; number of babies under supervision at out-stations. 126. The recent competition and dramatic entertainment, held to raise funds for the Waikari branch, realised £22 12s. i