DANGEROUS CROSSINGS

Taranaki Daily News, 1 June 1927, Page 2

DANGEROUS CROSSINGS

THEIR ELIMINATION URGED. TARANAKI LOCAL BODIES’ VIEWS. (From Our Own Reporter.) Eltham, May 31. The vexed question of dangerous level railway crossings was fully discussed by representatives of the Taranaki local bodies at the annual meeting of the association in Eltham to-day, when the feeling expressed was that the local bodies should contribute towards the cost of eliminating such crossings as urged by the Highways Board. Mr. J. S. Connett said that a lead had been given by the chairman of the Highways Board (Mr. F. W. Furkert). Mr. Furkert had stated that the opinion of the board was that such crossings should be eliminated, and that local bodies should contribute to the cost. He had not been prepared to state in what manner the cost should be contributed by the local bodies, but Mr. Connett thought they should do something to show the Highways Board that they were in active sympathy with the movement. How this would be received by local bodies which were not affected by such crossings was not known, but Air. Connett thought it was incumbent on them to contribute. He would suggest that each county contribute 10 per cent., 5 per cent, to come from the heavy traffic fees and 5 per cent, from the county funds. Mr. P. Skoglund considered that the matter was one for the individual local authorities to consider. Mr. Connett said he for one considered that they should reverse their previous view of the matter and decide that the elimination of level crossings was one for the benefit of Taranaki. They could not, as an association, do anything but indicate their feeling as a lead for the local authorities. Mr. J. B. Murdoch said he had been the mover of the resolution passed some time ago to the effect that they could not support the matter by contributions, oil principle, and he had not altered his attitude. If the railways were run by a private concern and not by the Government the matter would be viewed differently. It was a matter for the Government.

Mr. E. Long said he had changed his views upon further consideration, and thought the risk of life was a sufficient motive for their giving support to the motion.

Mr. Skoglund also spoke in favour of the motion.

Mr. Knuckey said it was immaterial whether counties were affected by crossings within their own boundaries or not. They would, however, derive benefit if passing through other counties by the elimination of danger. Mr. D. A. Stewart cited the case of the Normanby Town Board, which had a dangerous crossing within its boundaries. This town board was very small and it would be a distinct hardship if it were saddled in that way, as the board’s funds were entirely inadequate to cope with the matter.

Mr. E. A. Pacey said in the case of tne Hawera crossing the cost would be contributed to to the extent of 2J per eent. each by the borough and county, as the particular crossing was on a boundary road. He now thought that it was a matter of looking into the future and something should be done. Mr. Connett said the discussion, could only result in a resolution which would be a lead to the local bodies.

Mr. Knuckey said as the cost would, ■be non-recurring, on that ground the motion should be supported. Messrs. Pacey and Connett said such a motion, if carried, would not operate t.o include the case of Normanby, whose funds were recognised as precluding anything of a commitment, and in any case it was not actually binding on the local bodies.

Air. Murdoch asked if the expenditure of the 10 per cent, contribution would be regarded as a “new work” so as to earn a subsidy from the Highways Board.

Air. Connett said he could not be sure upon that point. Mr. H. A. Foreman said that while supporting the payment by the county of the 5 per cent, he did not think it a fair thing to expect the other 5 pet cent, to come from heavy traffic fees. The motion, to the effect that it be a recommendation of the association that local bodies contribute 10 per cent, to the cost of the elimination of dangerous crossings and that 5 per cent, come from heavy traffic fees and 5 per cent, from the counties, was carried unanimously.