STREET STALLS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 303, 20 November 1934, Page 10

STREET STALLS

NO CHANGE IN VENUE. REPORT TO 'CITY COUNCIL. It was reported by the works committee to last evening’s meeting of the City Council that the retailers in Broadway had forwarded a petition requesting the fixing of the-location of the street stall in some locality where the ordinary business of the ratepayers would not be affected. It had been resolved that the petition be received and the petitioners advised that their request had been referred to the traffic manager for a report as to an alternative site.

In his report, the traffic manager (Mr H. J. Smith) said: “The position would be simplified and would be fairer to all concerned if a decision was first made as to whether all positions should be allotted on the outer or the inner side of the Square. The inner side can be ruled out in nearly every locality that might be suggested as being out of tile way of the public using the street. Though this may suit the public, it would not be very helpful to the society attempting to raise funds. This leaves the outside boundary of the Square to be considered. The outer area is divided into eight divisions or sections. To plnco one in position where it is now held and the remaining seven on the outer area would hardly be fair to the business places in front of which the seven stalls may be allotted, while the eighth would not be situated in front of business premises. I am of the opinion that if street stalls are to l>e continued the present place should be abolished and one position allotted between Broadway and Rangitikei Street, one between Rangitikei Street and Coleman Place, one between Coleman Place and Main Street, one between Coles’s Buildings and Church Street, and so on until the Square had been completed. A chart could be drawn up that would show the place and society to which stands had previously been allotted to enable the council to allot the next stand when applied for. The council, deciding on this method, would require to make it definite, as decided objections can be counted on from business premises at present free from stalls in their locality. Traffic is increasing, but the area of the Square is not, and I am of the opinion that it may soon be considered necessary to review the whole position of street stalls and processions within the Square, and I am of the opinion that mock courts should not again be permitted as so many adverse remarks are passed against this method of collecting. People keep clear of the city when it is known that the courts are operating. An alternative to the foregoing suggestions is to allot, a position in the Square gardens behind the taxi stand; this is the position previously occupied by the Salvation Army and now recommended as a position for the Brethren. A stall there would not affect the religious gathering as it would not be occupied by the stallholders during the evenings. The remarks passed are not put forward as criticism, but are made to enable a discussion to be made on the various aspects of street collections and perhaps finalising a position for some time to come.

The transit committee reported that a statement of the traffic manager regarding street stalls was read and it was resolved to recommend that as from January 1, 1935, street stalls be limited to one only per month and shall be granted for charitable objects only, and that the present site in Broadway Avenue outside the Bank of Australasia be not altered. At the suggestion of Cr. H. B. Free it was decided that the section as to the site of the stalls, with the traffic inspector’s report, should be referred to the works committee. The other portion of the recommendation was adopted. _ After a brief discussion it was decided that no further street stalls be held after _ December 8 until further applications are received in the New Year. The matter arose when there was an application before the council from the Manawatu Scottish Society for permission to hold a street stall on December 1 and another from the Palmerston North City Silver Band for the holding of a stall on December 8. Cr. W. H. Brown moved, and Cr. J. Hodgens seconded, that the applications be granted. Cr. W. B. Cameron said he thought the bands had had a good opportunity of raising funds in the band carnival period. He thought the shopkeepers should bo given every opportunity in December. He moved an amendment that no applications be granted in December, except in the case of an appeal for Christmas cheer. Cr. Hodgens considered that the matter had been left over until too late in the year for any such action to be taken.

The Mayor (Mr A. E. Mansford) said he had been approached on two occasions with regard to the holding of street stalls and had suggested on each occasion that the question of holding the stall bo held over until the New Year. That had been agreed to in each case.

Cr. H. B. Free asked if stalls had been held on the street in December last year. The Mayor replied that he did not think any permits had been granted. Cr. Tennent said there had been a long succession of street stalls each week at the Broadway corner. Cr. Brown altered his motion to the effect that the tw.o applications bo granted, but that no further applications be granted after December 8. The motion, an amended, was carried on the Mayor’s easting vote.