FOOTPATH ETIQUETTE

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 April 1925, Page 2

FOOTPATH ETIQUETTE

KEEPING TO THE- LEFT.

i lt'was stated recently by a visitor to Nfi-y. Zealand at Wellington that .the capital city was the best in New Zealand so far as the observance of the keep to the left rules :for pedestrians was concerned. In all the cities and most of the larger towns this rule is now being strictly enforced, and the ease and speed with which oiie can reach his destination in the Crowded streets has been greatly facilitated. To a busy man who has a number of business calls to make tho time saved by the observance of the rule is considerable, and wore things to revert to the old order again there would be a great outcry. Greymouth with its population of over five thousand can no longer be classed as a “country town,” but the by-law is not enforced, and during tho busy hours 'it is a matter of some difficulty to force a wily along Mawhera Quay or the business section of Tainui Street; > In fact, were S’ person to ..strictly- observe-thfe <rule'-‘hnd' keep to his correct side of tHe footpath many would be the looks of reproach and even anger bestowed upon him from those he btrmped ilito. The’crowd is vefy ihricll like a mob of sheep and will always follows the line of least-resistance, and one person will- unconsciously follow the'• person immediately in -front, letting that person force a path.. i ■. 'When the rule was first enforced in the cities the method adopted was to have broad white lines placed along the centre df the footpath ' Idr' 'the guidance of the public, dnd ah additional help was provided by the policemen who patrolled the streets keening''to* h'is correct Side of the line and firmly restoring wanders to their plahe. By walkihg at a brisk pace and clearing the path ahead, the followers automatically : fell in behind -and the of traffic moved" slnodthly along. A few days off this shepherding sufficed to demonstrate the/advantage of observing the rule ,and it became second nature to adhere to it.