WATERLOO QUAY

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 261, 31 July 1929, Page 13

WATERLOO QUAY

DIVIDED RESPONSIBILITY Despite many critical references to this well-known waterfront highway, Waterloo Quay remains unpaved. In 1927 mention was made of the need of covering this big street \with a permanent surface. The history of the land under the road perhaps offers the explanation for the long delay. Part of it is the property, or at any rate the responsibility, of the Harbour Board and part that of the City Council. It is also claimed that the Railway Department carries a responsibility for a certain section. In the schedule for the City Council’s 1927 paving loan provision was made for a sum towards surfacing a portion of the street. At about the same time the Harbour Board offered to pay for a third share on the understanding that the other two public departments would join in the work. Thus it would appear that both the City Council and the Harbour Board have at different times expressed their willingness to pay their respective shares of the cost of laying down a good bitumen surface for Waterloo Quay. Indeed the offer made by the Harbour Board was not only for a bitumen surface, but for a concrete foundation as well.

The 1927 paving loan was carried so that the council’s share of the finance is assured. The Harbour Board is always financial. What then, it has been asked, is the cause of the delay In carrying out this important work? No publicity has been given to any negotiations with the Railway Department, and it cannot be said that the new railway station is likely to be allowed to interfere with this street. Suggestions have, it Is true, been made to lay a tramline along a short distance, but even such a work as this could be provided for, as was done in Stout Street by reserving a portion in the middle of the street. Probably if the subject were delved into it would be found that one body or the other was waiting for a move to come from the opposite quarter. Another difficulty at one time publicly discussed was that of dual control over a city highway. A year or two ago it was stated that the Harbour Board was prepared to hand over to the City Council that portion (i.e„ the northern end) of it that still remained the property of the board. The council, however, was not prepared io accept this.