THE TOWN CLOCK

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 55, Issue 3939, 13 August 1937, Page 5

THE TOWN CLOCK

DEFINITE PROPOSALS NOW BEFORE THE PUBLIC. JOINT COMMITTEE APPROVES PLANS. A meeting of the committee of six appointed two or three months ago by-Te Awamutu Borough Council and the Chamber of Commerce was held last evening to further consider the selection of a site on which to reerect the town clock. There were present the Mayor (Mr G. Spinley), Messrs J. C. Montefiore and W. J. North (Borough Council), and Messrs W. Jeffery, F. W. Bevin, and A. G. Warburton (Chamber of Commerce), with Mr D. Bockett as honorary secretary. Mr Bockett read the minutes of the last meeting, when suggested sites advanced by residents were considered, following which the committee viewed all the sites and made inquiries as to the possibility of obtaining one if finally selected. Replies to information sought in other towns on the score of type of clock tower and estimated cost were also read. Mr Warburton said that at one informal meeting it was agreed that when visiting Wellington he should interview the officials of the Highways Board. The Board was in conference at the time, and this had occasioned a delay until his next visit to Wellington. A COMPOSITE PHOTOGRAPH. A sketch plan had been drafted by Mr M. K. Draffin, architect, of Auckland, and later three separate photographs were taken, each looking towards the pivotal point from Sloane Street, Alexandra Street, and Arawata Street, and on each photograph had been super-imposed a clock tower standing right in the centre of the triangle. This was done, it may be explained, to give an idea of what the clock tower would look like in the position mentioned. Continuing, Mr Warburton said that on a second visit to Wellington he met Mr Albertson, head of the Main Highways Board, who evinced a very keen interest indeed in the project, and straightway inspected the plans, made minor alterations, and then gave his full approval. Mr Albertson went further, and promised to have sketches prepared that would show his ideas, and forward them to Te Awamutu. HIGHWAYS BOARD INTEREST. This became the basis for the production of sketches by the Main Highways Board’s engineering draughtsman in Wellington, and these also were shown to last evening’s meeting. In explanation, Mr J. Wood, engi-neer-in-chief and chairman of the Main Highways Board, wrote that sheet A was considered to be the ultimate development. “It provides for kerbside parking, four traffic lanes, and space for angle-parking in the middle of both Arawata and Alexandra Streets,” the letter said. “In the case, however, of Sloane Street such generous width has not been provided, and in the ultimate development two traffic lanes 10 feet wide are given on each side of the pavdment, with room for longitudinal parking in the middle of the street only. It has been considered, however, that this may not be readily acceptable locally, and in an endeavour to overcome any difficulty that may arise the inside lanes have been drawn closer together, leaving 13 feet for the outside lanes, which, in the meantime at any rate, could accommodate a moderate amount of parking. “ A copy of the proposals has been sent to Mr Dyson, the Highways Board’s representative at Auckland, so that he will be alive to the position. It has been suggested to him that if it were necessary to demonstrate the advantages of the traffic ‘ filter ’ to the residents of Te Awamutu the necessary striping could be put in and a temporary structure, consisting of barrels, or drums, and rails might be made to form the turning circle. “It is considered,” concluded Mr Wood’s letter, “ that when once your people become accustomed to following the correct lines they would appreciate the advantages offered.” PRACTICAL INTEREST. The sketch plan was inspected with keen interest. It was noticed that the Department had followed existing street lines so that, when provision was made for the widening of Sloane Street (a work now in progress) the parking difficulty referred to in Mr Wood’s letter would be overcome. Mr Warburton said he had been agreeably surprised to meet with such enthusiasm and practical help where he had been led to expect opposition. Mr Albertson had welcomed the opportunity to provide a “ traffic filter ” at the spot. The beauty of the sketch plan, said Mr Warburton, was that it showed how traffic would pass the clock tower. The different traffic lanes would be marked with white lines or traffic studs, and he (the speaker) was confident that there would soon be a general acceptance of the plan. A prime factor would be the principle of giving way to traffic approaching from the right. The central spot occupied by the tower would be 43 feet in diameter, the foundation .of the tower being underground, and round the base of the tower would be a small grass plot, and outside that a footpath. Sixteen feet from the outer edge would commence safety zones, which would extend along each of the three streets to provide for parking of a limited number of cars. Each traffic lane would be 13 feet wide.

Inspection of the plans by the committee showed provision for easing the acuteness of the angle known as Ahier’s Corner to provide for an easy swing from Arawata Street - into Sloane Street traffic. In the latter street, it was noted, Mr Albertson had made provision for two traffic lanes each ten feet wide on each side of the central parking line. PRACTICAL DEMONSTRATION. Mr Spinley said the plan was attractive, but he would like to see the suggestion of a practical demonstra-

tion adopted. Much progress could, of course, not be made until the new alignment for Sloane Street was in use.

Mr North thought the area provided for clock tower, grass plot, and footway was too great in diameter in the centre of the street. He asked if the same effect could not be obtained without occupying so great an area. Any reduction would give more room for traffic. Mr Warburton said the view the Highways Board took was that a circle should be large enough for all traffic to follow around, at no time crossing over other traffic lines, and thus maintaining a regular stream of traffic. Mr Spinley said it might be possible to arrange with Messrs P. A. Fowler and Sons to ease their corner at a later date, and this would considerably improve the position, just as the engineers recommended in the case of Ahier’s corner. It was shown that from the outer edge of the circle containing the tower to the nearest point of any footpath would be approximately 28 feet—ample room for two lanes of traffic. RE-MODELLING THE CLOCK. Mr Warburton then read a letter (published elsewhere in this issue) that he had received from Messrs Littlejohn and Son, of Wellington—the firm that constructed the Te Awamutu town clock. Discussion followed on various aspects, and there was expressed opinion that an electrically-operated system of clocks, including a master clock, would be preferable. For a future objective it was evident that the style and class of tower would regulate themselves according to the finance available. From information at the committee’s disposal as to cost of towers in other towns it was suggested that the total cost of clock ;and tower would be in the region of £l5OO, and ways and means should be devised with the object of raising that amount.

Mr Spinley said he would prefer to withhold comment until a practical demonstration on the site had been given.

Mr Jeffery commented that the officials who had prepared the draft plan were specialists and trained to visualise the effect of traffic direction and control. WjAYS AND MEANS. Mr Montefiore remarked that probably it would be preferable to raise a loan. Mr Warburton then moved that the plan be approved subject to the Highways Board’s offer to demonstrate the “ traffic filter by the use of barrels, etc., and also adopt Messrs Littlejohn and Son’s estimate for the electric operation of the clock. Mr Jeffery seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously. It was suggested that the committee arrange for displaying the sketch plan and appropriate photographs in a shop window for the information of the public, and Mr Jeffery’s offer to do so was accepted promptly. Appreciation was expressed of Mr Warburton’s activity in furthering the project, and a vote of thanks to that gentleman was carried by acclamation. A vote of appreciation was also accorded the State Departments concerned for the courtesies extended to the committee’s representative when visiting Wellington. The architect, Mr M. K. Draffin, was also thanked. In this connection Mr Warburton said he had been assisted in every quarter. In the first place Mr Draffin had drafted the proposals in a very able manner, and the Departments in Wellington—both the Transport Department and the Highways Board—had co-operated to the fullest in securing a well-considered plan. Discussion then turned to ways and means of providing for the erection of tower and clock, and several suggestions were made and noted.

Mr Spinley undertook to convene a public meeting at an early date to further discuss the project after the public had had an opportunity of seeing the lay-out plans and locality photographs.