CAR PARKING AND LIGHTS

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 18 September 1934, Page 9

CAR PARKING AND LIGHTS

HAWERA TRAFFIC PROBLEMS

MAYOR EXPRESSES SURPRISE

Some surprise was expressed by the Mayor of Hawera (Mr J. E. Campbell) at last night’s meeting of the borough council that a member of the Hawera county council should complain of the system of parking cars in the business area of the town. The opinion had been expressed by the councillor concerned that owing to the congestion of traffic in the streets on Thursdays and Saturdays business men should leave their cars at home on those days instead of parking them in the streets. It was claimed that the danger of bumping into another car when back- • ing out of crowded areas in the Hawera streets was too great. “I have made it my business to institute inquiries,” said Mr Campbell, ‘“and I find that there are no farmers who would care to go back to the old system of parking. The present angle system is not at fault; it is the abuse olf the system that is causing tbe trouble.” Mr Campbell said that if motorists would only use the parking lines the system would function without any trouble whatever. The suggestion of a time limit for parking was not at all acceptable. Cr. A. K. North: What about the parking of lorries The Mayor said that in this case he was not in favouif of these large vehicles being allowed to stand in High Street and Union Street, thereby i educing the width of the road for moving traffic. They constituted a grave danger owing to the extent in which they protruded into the street. Mr Campbell suggested that the motor lorry owners might be willing to com- • ply with a request not to park in these streets. Cr. North: They have not been playing the game up to the present. The Mayor pointed to another danger, that of .cars with glaring headlights passing along the main streets at night, particularly on Saturday nights. There was a greater risk of accident. Cr. W. G. Wnlkley: In Wellington they insist on the dimmers being used. The Mayor: It is certainly difficult for pedestrians to see in the full glare

of the headlamps. The parking lights

should be all that are necessary to { comply with the law in what is a well- \ lit thoroughfare.