CAR PARKING OUTSIDE PUBLIC HALLS

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 189, 12 August 1936, Page 6

CAR PARKING OUTSIDE PUBLIC HALLS

Proper Provision Necessary

A letter in the “Times” of July 20 last, regarding the parking of motorcars outside public halls at night-time was the subject of a special report presented to yesterday's meeting of the Manawatu County Council by No. 0 highway's district traffic inspector (Mr W. Berry). The report stated: — “My attention was drawn to the letter in tho “Manawatu Daily Times.” Since then I have made an inspection of most of the halls in the counties coming under my jurisdiction. 1 find that in most cases thero is no adequate accommodation for the parking of cars in front of the halls. In a number of cases cars are left standing on the side of the roadway, especially in winter time when the ground is wet, and they certainly are a menace to througa traffic. By furnishing this report I merely wish to draw councillors' attention to the need for making some provision for the parking of cars opposite these halls, as with tho great increase of motor traffic a serious accident might occur as the result of cars parking on both sides of the roadway in front of a hall. If parking places are provided, notices could bo erected drawing motorists’ attention to parking requirements.” Mr J. Boyce said that the conditions in winter time were very bad at the Glen Oroua hall. The nearby ground was so wet that there was no parking room for cars unless they remained on the road ana then it became a case of one-way traffic. The chairman (Mr W. E. Barber) said that the report opened up a new problem, that of providing parking space for cars outside public halls. It would be a costly business for the council to undertake metalling places and he considered that it was up to the hall committees concerned to take action. The council considered that it was a matter for tho hall committees to take up and it was agreed to refer tho report of the traffic inspector to the several hall committees of the county.

Menace to Through Traffic

DISCUSSION BY KAIRANGA COUNTY COUNCIL. Mr Berry’s report was also discussed at the meeting yesterday of the Kairanga County Council. Cr. W. G. Shannon said that the other evening there had been a function at Newbury and it had been hard to get past the parked cars. However, arrangements were now being made to provide for parking. The chairman (Cr. D. Collis) suggested that the provision of parking areas was a matter for the hall committees. Cr. Shannon added that, when cars wore parked on both sides of tho road, it was awkward for passing motorists. Cr. N. P. Nielsen said he had seen a dozen cars parked near the Tiakitahuna hall, but he did not think they had interfered with traffic. Cr. T. D. Lynch stated ho would like to see matters made safer for the travelling public, and he suggested that tho county engineer should make an inspection of the parking facilities at the various halls in the county. The chairman suggested that, if the (hall committees provided the property for parking areas, the council coull arrange for the gravelling of the access. It was reported by the engineer (Mr L. C. Pickering) that most of the halls in the Kairanga County had parking areas, Tiakitahuna being an exception. The engineer was instructed to report, as suggested by Cr. Lynch.