SAFEGUARDING LIFE

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 274, 9 February 1928, Page 17

SAFEGUARDING LIFE

ARGYLE ST. CROSSING “GOVERNMENT INACTION” “That this meeting of Mount Albert and Morningside residents and electors is entirely dissatisfied with the present arrangement with regard to the Argyle Street crossing, and urges the erection of a traffic bridge as soon as possible, and that in the meantime temporary protection be afforded.” gUCH was the text of a resolution passed at a public meeting held last evening in the Morningside Hall to protest against the inaction of the Railway Department in not making a move to safeguard life at the notorious Argyle Street crossing. The convenor, Mr. J. Toomatli, said he had written to the borough traffic inspector and had been supplied with statistics showing the large volume of traffic daily crossing the railway track at Argyle Street. He quoted illuminating figures showing that at certain times of the day vehicles cross the line at the rate of three every two 'minutes. When the wind was blowing from the south it was impossible to hear trains approaching. It was useless for the Borough Council to continue making appeals to the Railway Department if nothing was done. Mr. Toomath then moved that the Borough Council should place a man at the crossing to warn traffic and pedestrians until more adequate protection could be found. GRAVITY REALISED The chairman, Mr. L. E. Rhodes, Mayor of Mount Albert, said that the council fully recognised the gravity of the position and had made frequent appeals to the department. A year ago a wig-wag signal had been asked for, but a reply was received stating that there were more urgent crossings requiring immediate attention. He expressed the view that if his council were to provide temporary protection the Government would be still less inclined to afford relief. Amended to direct the appeal for a signalman to. the Railway Department instead of to the council, the motion was carried without dissent. The resolution of protest was then moved by Captain W. Attwell and carried unanimously. It was decided to send copies to the Minister of Railways and to the local members of Parliament.