THE SOUTHERN EXIT

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 33, 9 February 1927, Page 10

THE SOUTHERN EXIT

COURTENAY PLACE TRAMS

A "STATION" ADVOCATED

(By "Autos.' 1)

Once again the tramway startingplace at the eastern, end of Courtenay place is before the public, and once again it would appear that two or three insignificant trees are to be allowed to stand in the way of what is best in the interests of safety and the future development of Wellington. The-, late Mr. W. H. Morton brought down a scheme, approved by the City Council at the.time, which, from almost every point of view seems to be the right one. It was that the tram tracks should be run up the centre of :Courteriay place, sweeping out in two graceful curves to Oriental Bay arid Kent terrace. On cither side of the tracks -were to he platforms, about 100 ft in length with suitable. offices, and between tEe platforms and kerbs on each side was to be a roadway 40ft in breadth, oneway traffic only. . The little pohutukawa plantation, however, stood in the way, and a bright scheme came to nothing. Now it is ; proposed to build elaborately on one side of the street and introduce.a.subway. There is nothing against building in the manner proposed. The less building in the centre of the street the better. The proposal to have a long sheltered platform for each tramline, however, is one with a very strong appeal. The day seems not far; distant when the eastern end of Courtenay place will be practically the pivot point of the city's tram traffic. Subways are merely a means of eliminating danger. They can hardly be termed "convenient." Old people might appreciate their safety; they certainly would not welcome the struggle in and out. The same applies to mothers with children, and particularly mothers with perambulators. One-way .traffic, however, would-, make ■-street-crossing practically safe, and by.a periodical holding up of the traffic, crossing would be quite safe. , Anyone with experience of large cities knows perfectly well that people uso subways, islands, and such provisions only.under stress of circumstances. .They are avoided whenever possible. A subway at Courtenay place would probably-be very little used. Oneway traffic,,, ample shelter for tram passengers clear of ;the roadways* and what would practically, be a tramway station, seems almost an - leal solution of the southern " exit problem. It really meets the best interests of all parties concerned. ' ;

The city.beautiful will never be achieved; by growing a few stunted trees, grimy and dirty, in busy thoroughfares. However they look to-day, they are certainly doomed to-morrow. Side streets/ and particularly streets in residential areas, can be beautified by trees. The city-proper must-depend upon architecture to achieve beauty in its thoroughfares. If-planting is. desired large squares must be provided. Then goo.d effects can be achieved, such, for instance as in Dunedin, with its notable: examples of the Octagon and Queen's Gardens. Christehurch, too, has some fine planted areas, besides thebanks of the Haver Avon. Wellington, unfortunately, has made no such provision for beauty. Her effects must now be wrov^ht in some .other manner. ... .. . . ._ , '