TRAFFIC CONGESTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18708, 14 May 1924, Page 10

TRAFFIC CONGESTION.

'BEFORE AND AFTER MARCH. •: ■ ©?v• &S : SERIOUS BLOCKS OCCUR. TRAMS. NOT EQUAL ,TO TASK. •'- v <-~'■ i.'-y • 'MANY WALK FROM SUBURBS. The civic authorities have still much to ■ learn of traffic control. That was clearly demonstrated yesterday morning before : ; and after the march of the sailors. Traffic blocks were numerous, and, prolonged, nor did there seem any'directive mind at the „ chief centres of trouble.capable;of speedily setting iji. motion the hundreds of ' ' stationary. wheels. *, >. ,

;• - It .may bo contended that Auckland has never before seen so great a volume of .traffic, both vehicular and pedestrian, confined in so. small, an area. That is true, ibut the area was known, and congestion was- to. be expected .unless counter* .measures were taken. Actually, the tramways department- was the only one to display foresight by keeping .its rolling stock clear ■of .tha concentration. Any other, sort of .wheeled- traffic had free access to - many, sections of the line , of march, and the result was that on Princes Street and Anzao Avenue especially* the 'roadway .was lined with, motor-cars. In Anzao Avenue these , were interspersed ■With great horse and motor-lorries, which very effectively blocked the view of . the humble pedestrians on the sidewalk. This was the cause of much indignation. .It was contended by many that traffic into and- near . the route of the march #hould have been stopped, keeping everyone On the pedestrian level. That would certainly - have obviated the serious " tielip " of traffic that occurrod, for instance, at the. foot of Anzao Avenue after ; the. march. The . vehicles would have been • more distributed, and all would not have wanted to use the same route at once. At the junction of Queen and Customs Street and at the Ferry Buildings it was 11.30 before full control was restored arid con-

gestion 1 relieved.' ' ; .-: v Pedestrian traffic on .footpaths was also chaotic. - Most were going in ope direction, and J those walking t against the stream were simply forced into the road. 'A good many city pavements could have ; been more quickly cleared after the march under , the direction of the city traffic in- • epectors, who at that time were visitors on the Hood. - ' - The only trouble with the trams was that there were not nearly enough of them. Although the department had the fullest possible service on all lines, 165 cars in all, thousands of people were compelled to walk. At first the people at the termini were in tbe most favoured position, and they rapidly filled the cars to the exclusion of all others. After 9 a.m., residents nearer the city discovered j a manoeuvre to circumvent this, As they oould not board the incoming, they filled the outgoing cars,. and cheerfully paid the extra tax for a ride that finally ; turned .'-.'cityward. " '• ' • Symonds Street has never before carried bo great a volume of pedestrians. <; On its pavements were concentrated the ; streams which converged from Khyber Pass, Mount. Eden, Dominion Road" end Morningsids. 'Another tributary joined up at . Grafton Bridge. Actually, owing to the block of motor-vehicles at this point, pedestrians , ■were able to proceed faster than motorists. And from other tram routes came reports : "of ■ long;' walks : undertaken. But everybody seemed to arrive in' the city, walk or ride. - "■ - One very * pleasing . feature in. the manf ■ • agement of the trams, Was. that most conductors were generous in the packing they allowed." Front platforms and rear were ailed, and often a conductor would 'find 'another few inches for an old lady or two or three eager children. . For once Auck- ' landers? saw most. of their trams packed as - other centres see them daily at rush hours. The concession was apDreciated. e£ ; Passenger traffic on' the railways since, fleet week opened has been exceptionally heavy, -probably) more w> , than at Easter. - . Yesterday morning, however, the "peajc ;'' was"reached. What with school and sail.' ore' excursions, and the great numbers wishing to witness the march in the city, I all ? available rolling stock, including con- - verted waggons, was pressed into service. The .' trains were crowded, but no passengers were disappointed.