STREETS IN THE CITY

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 24, 29 January 1924, Page 3

STREETS IN THE CITY

URGENT NEED OF REPAIR.

Following ib a copy of a letter sent oy (i the Civic League to the Town Clerk: "Sir,! —Under instruction-of, my executive, I have to bring before your council tEe following matter relating to the present condition of the streets in the main centres of the city. Acting on representations made to us by some leading business men, we made a tour of inspection over the principal thoroughfares. From the evidence presented to us, we are of the opinion that a very urgent need exists for attention to surface work in the way of effective sealing of the macadam laid and also woodblocked streets. , The numerous potholes, breaking away of tarred surfaces, and deep indentation, mark a need for better treatment than the mere filling of holes with costly metal which is soon displaced by the driving force of motor and other vehicles.

"At the northern end of the city,,{he state of Thorndon quay is deplorable. As this street constitutes the main entrance to the city, it is essential to have, it put in proper condition as early as 'such work can be undertaken: Knowing that there are _Borne important questions attaching to" the proper formation of Thorndon quay, we have no. desire to harass the council by suggesting what may not be immediately practical. At the same time we see that most of the traffic in and out of the city is diverted via Molesworth street, which is in our opinion so narrow as to be actually dangerous for such a volume of traffic. "The northern end of Tinakori road, that portion between Thorndon quay and Molesworth street, is breaking down completely with this traffic, and the part cf Molesworth street that is not tar sealed is likewise being destroyed. "When the work of reforming Thorndon quay is undertaken, we trust your ! council will have that important thoroughfare both widened and straightened. Meantime we would urge that Molesworth street^should be put in proper condition to carry the large volume of traffic which passes through it. "As an instance of how seriously the bad condition of important streets affects business firms, our attention is drawn to Taranaki and Tory streets. We are informed that very heavy traffic traverses the former;-, and in consequence off the ruinous state it is in, and the great nuisance from , dust, .etc;, some firms have each half-year to write downtheir stocksome 20 per cent., so great'is the depreciation to materials and machinery. "The main, reason, however, for our taking this matter up is that failure this summer to protect the present surface of the city streets with a covering that will stand the wear from auto-driven vehicles will, in our opinion, mean an enormous capital loss which will .far exceed the cost of laying down a bituminous surface to the roads at once. , "We are satisfied that the city's roading staff and resources should, be concentrated on saving the foundation of the present streets in the city. It is submitted that this need is a very urgent ODe, and calls for immediate attention. "Another side of this question of streets coming under our observation is the exposed condition.of the wood blocks ia a number of streets. We found stretches where, the blocks are quite bare of tar and sand. The deterioration which must take place in this wood j work if thus left open to weather conditions and the wearing action of constant traffic on the • blocks, impresses us as something very serious. If delay in providing necessary coating continues, -we feel that it may entail considerable cost to the city by' way of replacement of structures. , "At the time we know the council has considerable work in hand. We have.1 no" desire to see the Hutt road work stepped or hindered. Yet we are very anxious that full attention . shall be given to the streets within the city, and that the council will take steps to have as much of this work done as possible. If the present staff is not sufficient to meet requirements, then we hope that the council will find other: means to cope with the situation.

. "These representations from my league are submitted. with full recognition of the council's difficulties, and are prompted by the fear that if this work is not dene before tne winter (months are upon us, the city may suffer very great loss from the deterioration now taking place. I desire further,, to ask that the Mayor will allow the officers of my league to wait upon him in this connection that we may present matters more in detail than can be dons by letter.—l. am, etc., D. M'Laren, hon. secretary."