TRAFFIC CENTRE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22404, 28 April 1936, Page 14

TRAFFIC CENTRE

OLD STATION SITE PROGRESS OF PLANS PROVISION FOR PARKING A plan for the development of the old station site as a transport terminal has been prepared by the city engineer, Mr. J. Tyler, in consultation with Mr. Kenneth W. Aimer, an architect who was recently appointed by the City Council to assist in the work. Tho scheme will not be announced until the operators of motor-buses and service cars have been consulted. In submitting an interim report to the City Council last night Mr. Tyler said that in the plan the general aim had been to provide tho requisito space and facilities for the handling of buses and long-distance coaches, and for the safety and convenience of passengers. Tho layout showed tho initial development in relation to future extensions, and it was considered that the former would meet the requirements for at least a decade. It had been recognised that if the whole of the site were devoted to buses and service cars from the outset the cost would be too great for them to bear, and in order that the cost would be kept down to a practicable minimum, as much of the atea as possible had been devoted to the parking of motor-cars. Mr. Tyler said that before submitting the plan for the council's final consideration he was desirous that the operators who would have to use the site should be in agreement that the layout would present no difficulties from their viewpoint as regards efficiency and convenience of operation. In view of the time which must elapse before it would be possible to commence the work of construction ho recommended that the streets which would be absorbed in the scheme be closed and the necessary temporary work to the surface be parried out immediately, with the object of utilising the ground for the parking of motor vehicles. The council would thus bo able to clear some of the streets in the vicinity which were now suffering congestion through the parking of motor vehicles, and to apply tho revenue received toward the cost of the scheme. "My estimate of tho cost of the work necessary to put the site to this purpose is £400," said Mr. Tyler. " This would provide for the use of the area between Gore Street extension and Britomart Place for parking. It is not advisable to include the block that lies between the Commerce and Gore Streets extensions for parking purposes, as it is anticipated that this is where development work in connection with the transport terminal will begin. But should it be considered necessary to use this block for parking, it would cost an additional stum of £4OO, the expenditure of which I consider not warranted in the meantime." The report was referred to the special sub-committee which has the transport centre scheme under consideration. TRAFFIC OFFENCES CITY PROSECUTIONS DECREASE LAST YEAR Traffic prosecutions initiated by the City Council in the year ended March 31 last numbered 915, compared with 1218 in the preecding year, according to a report submitted to the council last night by the superintendent of traffic, Sir. C. Bland. The revenue from fines was £697, compared with £835 in 1934-35. The largest classes of informations were:—Exceeding parking periods, 236; driving without licences, 180; dangerous driving, 135; driving without heavy traffic licences, 58; defective brakes, 55. The Mayor, Mr. Ernest Davis, remarked that the fall in the number of prosecutiors, in spite of the Traffic Department's greater efficiency, was a proof of the impression made by that efficiency upon the public mind.

BOOKS FOR CHILDREN LIBRARY SUPPLY IMPROVEMENT PROPOSED A proposal to allocate £450 for the purpose of providing a better selection of juvenile books for the Central Library and at each of the eight branch libraries was brought before the City Council last night. The chief librarian, Mr. John Barr, reported that during the year the number of volumes issued to children had greatly decreased. This, he said, was partly due to. the novelty of free service wearing off, but more so to the small number of volumes available and the poor condition of the stock generally. To help improve conditions he recommended that a special grant in each case of £SO bo made for the purchase of juvenile books for the Central and each of the branches. The Library Committee recommended the adoption of the report, but on the motion of Mr. J. S. Stewart, actingchairman, it was referred back for consideration with the committee's estimates. The fact that children's applications to become subscribers to the city libraries had to be signed by ratepayers had been raised by Mr. N. V. Douglas, and on the committee's recommendation it was decided that the chief librarian bo authorised to arrange for cards to bp accepted if signed by justices of tlio peace, clergymen and other reputable citizens. r ZOO EXPENDITURE EXCESS OVER RECEIPTS PREFERENCE IN TENDERS ' The disparity between receipts and expenditure at the Auckland Ztfo was revealed in a short report submitted to the City Council last night by the city treasurer. This showed that undor the heading of zoo maintenance the receipts for the year ended. March 31, 1936, totalled £3588 and the payments amounted to £7642. This was in addition to payments in the capital account of £277. The report was roceived. On the motion of the Mayor it was decided to purchase £lO worth of Anzac commemoration stamps. A suggestion was received that in vichv of the increased motor traffic at tho intersection of Queen and Quay Streets a subway bo constructed undor Quay Street, opposite the Ferry Building. This was referred to the Works Committee. It was resolved that in calling for tenders for a year's supply of sulphate of alumina for the waterworks filter plants no restriction regarding country of origin or supply be specified, but preference bo given to British material, other things being equal. It was stated that this had been tho practice in the past, and that last year material of American and Japanese origin li/xl been oh offer.