CITY PARKING PROPOSALS

Southland Times, Issue 23227, 16 June 1937, Page 15

CITY PARKING PROPOSALS

REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEE EXCEPTIONAL POSITION CLAIMED A recommendation that the Crescent, Clyde street, Forth street and Nith street be created parking areas, as suggested in the special report of the city traffic inspector (Mr E. Stopford) was contained in a report presented to the City Council at its meeting last evening by the special committee set up to consider parking proposals for Invercargill. The members of the committee were: The Mayor (Mr John Miller), Crs J. M. Grieve and J. R. Hanan, the city engineer (Mr F. M. Corkill), the tramways manager (Mr A. C. Carman), the traffic inspector (Mr E. Stopford) and the town clerk (Mr W. F. Sturman). After a long discussion the report was referred back to the committee. The report stated:— “The committee had before it the report of the traffic inspector and the whole question of parking was discussed at length. Consideration was given to the parts of the newly issued Government regulations affecting the position, including tram stops in the city area, and it is obvious that these regulations alone will materially restrict parking in the busy portions of Dee and Tay streets.” The following were the committees recommendations: — (1) After carefully considering the whole position, it is recommended that as a first step the provisions of the Government regulations be enforced by the officers concerned and that the Police Department be advised accordingly The matter of any additional modification that may be necessary is under consideration by the committee. The city engineer has been asked to prepare a plan, for the information of the council, showing the effect of the regulations in Dee street, from Yarrow street southwards, and in Tay street as far as Conon street (2) The committee recommends that the Crescent, Clyde street, Forth street and Nith street be now created parking areas as set out in the traffic inspector’s report (3) The committee recommends that a stand for the Kew bus be allotted in the meantime, in Dee street at the Coionial Chambers.

CR HANAN’S EXPLANATION Cr Hanan: You can see that what we’ve done is merely formal. The committee did not feel disposed to bring in at once the proposals of the city traffic inspector, which, in essence, advocated the prohibition of head-in parking in Dee street. Although it is not suggested to do it yet, it u possible that in the future head-in parking will be definitely forbidden. Cr W. M. C. Denham, M.P.: I wish to point out that Invercargill is an exceptional case, having as it does, such wide streets. It seems rather absurd to empty out all those cars in Dee and Tay streets. I would like to see the whole thing reconsidered. It is going to cause a lot of inconvenience. I don’t think anything is to be gained by a rigid adherence to the regulations. And I don’t think we will be shot at dawn if we don’t rigidly adhere to those regulations in the meantime. The Mayor said he was pleased to hear the member for Invercargill give his views on the matter. He would be pleased if Cr Denham got into touch with the Minister and explained that Invercargill was in an exceptional position because of its wide streets. Cr Denham: I’m going to have a good talk with him. 15-MINUTE PARKING ADVOCATED Cr G. E. T. Dorman suggested that 15-minute parking be allowed. It would be best, he said, to make one definite stand. < The city traffic inspector (Mr E. Stopford), at the invitation of the Mayor, then explained the new regulations as they affected Invercargill. The legal aspect of the regulations was also discussed at length by Cr G. J. Reed. “You can shoot a cannon-ball through the regulations if you so wished,” he said. Cr Reed then moved that the question be referred back to the committee and that in the meantime, the city solicitor’s opinion of the council’s obligations in carrying out the regulations, as they affected parking, be obtained. “The whole matter bristles with technicalities,” said Cr W. G. Tait, in seconding the motion. “We have no wish to harass our ratepayers and shop keepers in any way,” said the Mayor. But if the Transport Department in its wisdom says they have to be carried out then they have to be. On the other hand it is suggested that the regulations need not be rigidly enforced in this city—where the streets are two chains wide. I am in favour of the matter being referred back to the committee in those circumstances. Cr Denham can ascertain our position.” Mr Stopford, in answer to a question, said that from a traffic inspector’s point of view parallel parking, for a limited time, was preferable to the system now in use.

It was finally decided that the report be referred back to the committee.