TRAFFIC DELAYS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22950, 31 January 1938, Page 12

TRAFFIC DELAYS

UNFORTUNATE MOTORISTS DEVONPORT CONGESTION QUEUE LASTS FIVE HOURS In spite of the fact that four vehicular ferry boats were in operation, making trips as fast 33 motor-cars could be loaded and unloaded, heavy traffic congestion occurred at Devonport last evening. The rush commenced just after 5 o'clock and it was not until over five hours later that the long queue of cars had finally been, disposed of. Stringing back from the ferry concourse some distance round the waterfront, at the peak period, the cars numbered over 100 for the greater part of the congestion. Officials of the Devonport Steahi Ferry Company, Limited, were constantly along the road selling tickets and it was a common eight to see them as far along the parade as May Street attending the motorists. The traffic control staff had to be largely augmented. Traffic Inspector E. J. C. Finney was forced to call on the services of a special assistant, while Senior-Sergeant C. C. Dunford and Constable D. O'Carrol, from the Devonport police station, also assisted in directing the large incoming streams of motorcars from Milford and points further north.

Considerable impatience was very evident among the motorists in the early stages, and it appeared to be a particularly happy circumstance when the Artillery Band commenced a concert in the rotunda in the immediate vicinity of the long-awaiting queue of cars. The unexpected entertainment proved a very welcome surprise.