PARKING PLACE FOR CARS.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 September 1924, Page 5

PARKING PLACE FOR CARS.

RESERVE NEAR STATION SOUGHT. DEPUTATION TO THE COUNCIL. The desirability of a bettor parking place for cars in the borough of New Plymouth, and the suitability of the vacant Borough Council section near the station for such a purpose was pointed out to the council at its meeting last night by a deputation representing the New Plymouth Tourist and Expansion League and the new ly--formed North Taranaki Automobile Association. The council decided that it could not see its way to spend money on making the reserve more suitable for the purpose desired, but permission would be granted to motorists to use the area in itn present condition for parking cars, subject to certain conditions. The spokesman of the deputation (Mr. G. M. SJienoe) outlined the objects of the deputation. The King Street and Powderham Street parking areas, he stated, were already too crowded, and the deputation suggested that the council’s section opposite the railway station should be levelled and access provided for cars. The section was situated at the gateway to the town, and in its present condition was ar eye-sore. The conversion of the area into a parking place would .probably beautify it to a certain extent. In Napier, Hastings and other towns, ccntinued Mr. Spence, the parking question had recently been brought before the various count-ils and attempts were being made to deal with it on the lines suggested by the deputation. Motorists felt that except for money spent on actual street work, the council had incurred little expenditure on their behalf in return for the fees colle’cted. The feeling of garage proprietors in the town had been obtained, and they had no objection to the proposal being carried into effect. The deputation, concluded Mr. Spence, would suggest that a curbing of rough stone might be laid between the section and the footpath to prevent cars from encroaching on the latter.

Mr. Walter Weston (president of the North Taranaki Automobile Association) supported the arguments put forward by Mr. Spence. He emphasised the expense motorists incurred by being coro'pelled to leave their ear-lights burning for a considerable time. It would be a big saving if car-owners could park their cars on the section and turn off their lights.

Cr. F. Amoore stated that lie had no objection to a small -portion of the area being set aside for the purpose desired. The Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson) pointed out that the council was asked to spend a considerable amount of money. This, after all, was the point upon which the council’s decision rested.

iCrs. J. Brown and V. Griffiths considered that it was unfair to spend the council’s money on installing lights on ftuch an area when ratepayers in certain portions of the borough were without lights in their streets. The council finally decided to grant permission for cars to be parked on the reserve on such portions as are not required by the council, and at the pleasure of the council.