PORTOBELLO ROAD BOARD

Evening Star, Issue 14529, 31 March 1911, Page 1

PORTOBELLO ROAD BOARD

The monthly meeting yesterday afternoon was attended by Messrs J. Dickson (chairman), Fulton, 'Macandrew, Seaton, Johnson, Wright, Bacon, Miller, and Ker. Mr E. H. Clark, M.P., attended the meeting. Messrs J. A. Lewis and W. G. Bransgrove attended, and presented a petition signed by forty-six residents of North-east Harbor praying that the road from Dun-' edin to Macandrews be opened to motor traffic, subject to such restrictions as the Board deemed necessary. The petitioners stated they, were not served by ferry steamers, and consequently wanted to have the benefits of motor care.—The Chairman said the Board could not grant licenses. A by-law prohibited motor traffic, but he agreed with Mr Fulton that the by-law need not necessarily be enforced.—A counter-petition, signed by 142 residents and ratepayers in the Portobello, Broad Bay, and North-east Harbor subdivisions was presented, praying that the Board refrain from allowing motor traffic on the Beach road from Anderson Bay to Portobello, as the road was too narrow- to ensure v.he safety of other vehicular traffic, pedestrians, and children.—Mr Fulton protested against what he termed the unfairness of the second petition, as three-fourths of the signatures were those of Portobello residents. The North-east Harbor petitioners asked pirmission for motor traffic only as far down as Macandrews Bay. Ho could have got many more signatures in North-east Harbor had he thought that more names would have carried additional weight.—The matter was discussed at considerable length, and much diversity cf opinion, generally antagonistic to the proposed innovation, was expressed, much stress being laid on the narrowness of the Beach road and its sharp curves.—Mr Miller moved—" That at the forthcoming election for members of the Board a vote of the ratepayers be taken on the question of borrowing £IO,OOO for the widening of the Beach road, in order to ensure the safety of motor and other traffic, and also for the purpose of the Hooper Inlet hill, and that a committee be appointed to arrange for same." —Members received the proposal in humorous vein, describing it as a " block," but this the mover resented as untrue. — The Chairman considered that the inclusion of improvements to the Hooper Inlet hill road proved that the motion was not intended to block motor traffic. He proceeded to describe the position in respect to motor traffic, the extension of which down the harbor-side he described as a desirable consummation.—Mr Fulton vigorously advocated the opening of the Beach road to traffic, deducing weighty arguments and evidence to show that such traffic could be regulated so as to ensure safety to other users of the road. —Several members emphasised the danger that existed in consequence of the narrowness of the road and its sharp turnings.— Mr Miller gave notice of his motion for the following meeting, and altered his figures to £5,000. This postponement would enable members to consider the proposal at their leisure. —Mr Clark suggested that the Board get an estimate of the probable cost of the proposed improvements before deciding on the amount of the loan required to carry them out. —Mr Seaton said the petitions should be dealt with offhand, as without doubt three-fourths of the, njemliers werfttOpppsed to "motor traffic. —The Cnairman'said that the local jeeljrijr, was decidedly antagonistic to motor traffic, so much so, indeed, that he and three other members were elected to the Board on tho " no motor traffic." ticket.—On the motion of Messrs Fulton and Miller the petitions were received, and further discussion postponed until Mr Miller's motion came up again for consideration. • The Under-Secretary Public Works wrote in respect to -cpairs to Anderson Bay bridge. As the Portobelk Road Board, who controlled the bridge, had no funds with which to effect the repairs Mr W. S. Short had been appointed as a commissioner to take evidence, with a view to ; pportioning the cost amongst the local bodies of the districts from which the bridge traffic 'Mine. The Commission would sit in Duncdin nest month.— Tae letter was received, the Chairman stati.ig that its suggestions were being carri vl out; and that the amount of traffic nsng the bridge every day for a week had been checked.—M/ Fulton said the traffic, together with th° starting-place and destination of eacil vehicle, was cheeked each day from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., and the result showed that three-fourths of the traffic over (he bridge came from Duncdin. In order to give the chairman an opportunity to clear himself, Mr Seaton said ho had heard it rrmored that Mr Dickson was using his influence, behind members' backs, to prevent the carrying out of improvements at Hooper Inlet hill.—The Chairman said the rumor was absolutely untrue.

In reply to an inquiry, Mr Clark explainel the procedure necessary to obtain moneys voted by Parliiment for local works, and in connection therewith a letter from the department stated that the Board had £IOO of an unexpended Portobello road grant yet standing to their credit. The Chairman and Messrs Miller and Macandrew were appointed as a committee to arrange for the acquisition and reclamation of three small harbor inlets, and for the erection on one of these reclaimed spaces lat Portobello) of offices for the Board, the same to serve as a Coronatijn memorial building. Sixty-three ratepayers and propertyowners in North-east Harbor subdivision petitioned for a more conveniently situated polling-booth for Bo:.rd -leciiuns uiian the present booth at North-east Harbor School. --Mr Fulton presented the petition, and explained i'. ■ reasonableness.—The Board .....;ded, on the motion of Messrs Ker and .'■!.:,■•:. ' i,' fnt ,re V.' a polling-booth at each end of tlie ouoa:ision.