SAFETY OF SCHOOL CHILDREN.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 21 August 1928, Page 5

SAFETY OF SCHOOL CHILDREN.

INSTRUCTION AS TO CROSSING OF OXFORD STREET. At the Levin Borough Council meeting on Monday evening, the Streets Committee ‘reported that it had considered the request from the School Committee for the marking out of footcrossings over Oxford Street, in front of the school. It recommended that a reply be sent to the School Committee stating that, in the Council’s opinion, .it would not be in the interests of either the school children or the road traffic to have all the children crossing in one or two defined tracks, and recommending that the school staff be asked to instruct Ihe children that those requiring to cross Oxford Street should do so at right angles between Durham and Stuckey Streets. It also recommended that the existing signs be ro-painted and erected on the lefthand side of the road.

In moving the adoption of the report, Cr. Mortenson, chairman of the Streets Committee, stated that the recommendation was what his committee thought to be a suitable reply to the School Committee’s representations.

Cr. Roe (a member of the School Committee) said ho thought tha't two lines marked across the street would have some effect on motor traffic, even if they were only small lilies. Cr. Bishop; At the speed at which motorists travel, they would never see them.

Cr. Roe: It would bo wise to have a line both north and south of the school. Cr. Hutchings (chairman of the School Committee): The chairman might tell us why it is not in the interests of the children or the road tu do this. Cr. Mortensen: I think I enlarged on that at a previous meeting. The principle involved is that if the Council decides that that course is right at the school, it must be the right thing throughout the town to make , fixed crossings. Wo discussed the matter in the committee, and thought it would be best for the school staff to instruct the children to cross at right angles between Stuckey and Durham Streets. We all seemed to think that that was the safer way. If this Council say it is a good thing to paint white lines for crossings, it must be done throughout the town. Personally I think it is a very dangerous thing, at least for the school children. The school committee’s letter in.the first place asked for one” crossing opposite the school gates. That would load straight into a lolly-shop—(laughter)-—ami there might bo various interpretations put on that. The children would think that they wore quite safe in running back and forward there, and this would increase the danger to the children. Such a method would hold up the motor traffic after school, whereas if the children were scattered out it would not affect the traffic. Instruction is, no doubt, the, best. Cr, Hutchings: They are getting that now-. Cr. Mortensen; I saw' that in the Press, and I thought that by this we were, ; probably meeting your requiiements.