A DANGEROUS ROAD

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12322, 17 December 1925, Page 6

A DANGEROUS ROAD

CONDITION OF WATERLOO QUAY TOO MANY BODIES IN CONTROL "WHO WILL' CARRY THE BABY?” / / ' The dangerous condition of Waterloo Quay and the responsibility for putting it in repair, was tlie suhject brought before the Harbour Board last night by a deputation from the Wellington Master Carriers’ Union, Drivers’, Union, and Automobile Association. ' _ , , The chairman (Mr M. Cohen), stated that Waterloo Quay was vested m> the board under the provisions of the “Wellington Harbour Board and Corporation Land Act, 1880.” The Government took the prihting office site which was then a’ Harbour Board endowment, and vested in the hoard a portion of the block on which the Loan and Mercantile Company’s building now stands, Waterloo Quay snd the old railway wharf, in exchange. It extended at that time from Waring Taylor and Ballance streets to what was now Hinemoa street. There was originally no thoroughfare beyond this point. The board was required to maintain it in good order as a publio thoroughfare. Since then the board had had to bear the cost of maintaining, lighting and watering this portion of the quay, except the part which the council, hy arrange ment with the board, took over in 1908, to enable the trams to run round into Ballance street. Tlie board was now responsible for the length from the north 1 end of the Customhouse to Hinemoa street. North of Hinemoa street is vested m tlie City Council. TRAMWAY EXTENSION

It was proposed hy the City Council ■later to extend the tramways along Waterloo Quay and into Bunny street. When this was to be done, the board should require that this portion of the quay be taken over by the council. North of Bunny street, the land on the western side was railway' land and a portion on the eastern side south of Hinemoa street was Government property used by the Post and Telegraph and Public Works Departments. ■ ' Practically all the traffic to the board’s wharves was only as far north as King’s Wharf approach. Since .the street had been opened up and connected with Davis street, the quay has become a through road, taking traffic to and from the Hutt road to the railway goods yard and the r. “ft "hardly S appeared reasonable that the hoard should have to hear the whole cost of laying down a permanent street for all traffic from Ballance street to Hinemoa street, as the Government and city authorities were at least equally interested. The approximate estimated cost or a 40ft road laid with asphaltic concrete, with a wearing surface and about Cm thick, would t0 From the Customhouse to n °rth end of Bunny street, £1967; from Bunny street to Hinemoa street, £7,085 ; a total of £9052. From Hinenwa street to Davis street is vested m the City Council, and would cost approximately £3300. Mr \. J. Curtis said the deputation represented a large commercial community, and they wished to point out that Waterloo quay was a dangerous road and unfit to carry the traffic it had to carry. It was necessary that the road should be put in repair. It was full of potholes, with rubble on the top, and there was a great deal of dust. Something should be done to remove the disabilities. Mr A. Parlane endorsed, and said the dust nuisance was not only a nuisance hut dangerous, having regard to the railway traffic which crossed the road to the wharves. There had been several accidents there recently. Between Customhouse quay and King’s wharf was the worst portion of the road. It was only a matter of time when there would he a serious aceident unless something was done. Mr H. Filmer, representing the Automobile Association, of 1500 members, emphasised the need of good roads in the city, and said they would like to see ' Waterloo quay cleaned up. The outlet for Waterloo quay was not the best, and the’ board might consider the question of providing- outlet. The chairman (Mr M.‘ Cohen) asked if the road was ever watered. / Mr Curtis said he believed it had been done, although he had not seen the water-cart there himself. He would not say the traffic was through traffic to Hutt road, which .usually went Thorndon quay. The traffic, oil the road was very heavy. Mr Chapman: Has the deputation approached the City Council on this matter? '

The reply was in the negative. Tlie chairman replied that the road was under the control of three authorities, the City Council, Harbour Board, and the 'Government. The hoard agreed that something should. be done, but was not prepared to accept the whole obligation. The Harbour Board was net the only culprit in the matter, hut would give it consideration. The deputation then withdrew. CONFERENCE PROPOSED Mr C. H. Chapman thought the board should take the lead, and approach the City Council and Government in the matter. Jt was only a question of time 1 vy hen it would become a through road. Mr G. Mitchell said the road had been, a liability for some years, although they had tried to get it put in order with a view to handing it over to the council. It would soon beedmo the through road from Courtenay Place. The three authorities should take joint action' to put the road in firstclass order, and then hand it over to the City Council. The hoard should approach the City Council and Public Works Department with a view to coming to an understanding. Mr D. J. McGowan seconded, Mr C. M. Turrell considered the road should not he allowed to remain in its present condition, even if it had to be done at the expense of the board, rather than allow the users to suffer as they did now. He referred to tnar portion of the road which came in the board’s purview. Mr C. J. B. Norwood said tlie council did not derive any rates from any part of the road. It was not to any extent a through road, although it might become so if put in order. There should be a conference, and they might consider making a 40ft road. Mr H. D. Bennett suggested that the City Council should he asked to take over the road after it had been put into order by the hoard. He did not think they could ask the city to do more than that. Captain McArthur said certain parties were quite ready to let the Harbour Board “carry the babv.” All three authorities had responsibilities in tho

matter. lls agreed that a conference should bo held. Whoever fathered this concern on the Harbour Board were a little bit cute, and the members who were concerned in this and one or two other little deals were a bit “too soft.” Ho did not warit the board to shirk its responsibility, but he did not want it to bo made a catspaw. Tho chairman hoped the conference proposed would be fruitful in getting the rood put in order. It was agreed to invite the City Council and the Public Works Department to join in a conference to go into the matter of putting the road in order.