PERFECT CONTROL

Taranaki Daily News, 4 January 1935, Page 4

PERFECT CONTROL

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS NO HITCH IN THE SCHEME ORDERLY STREAM OF. CARS PROCESSION TO THE PARK

Traffic arrangements for the Duke’s visit were without a hitch. Cars streamed into New Plymouth from all directions and concentrated in the vicinity of Devon Street and Pukekura Park, but the organisation was s-ch that everything went perfectly smoothly. On all level crossings and at all overhead crossings on the route taken by the Royal train there were crossing-keepers, and all traffic was Held up while the three trains were in the vicinity. There was no trouble in this connection and arrangement- in the borough were just as well observed. The route from the railway station to the Park, was closed to traffic from 9.30 a.m. to 11 and all side streets were roped off and guarded by emergency traffic officers. The trams ran a divided service, Fitzroy passengers disembarking at Liardet Street and West End people at the railway station. All the side streets near Devon Street were thickly lined with cars and the highways in the vicinity of Devon Street were crowded with double parking lines. Occasionally an unaware motorist attempted to take the main road or parked in the wrong place, but the traffic officers were firm and the system’s merits were shown when the ceremonies were all over. Cars slid away easily and quickly and nowhere was there either obstruction or. accident.

.PRECAUTIONS OBSERVED. Precautions taken on all Royal visits were observed for the Duke. The procession was preceded everywhere by a pilot car, in which rod 2 police officers, about 50 yards ahead of the Prince’s motor. It had no work > do apart from that of herald of His Royal Highness’ approach, and the gleaming cars, some with the Crown insignia in place of the usual number-plate, excited admiration among the public. They were evenly spaced 1 perfect line and set off as the Royal train left on the long trip to Hawera and Wanganui. The crowds everywhere were extremely orderly, with a marked restraint, and the police, reinforced by the special guard on the train nd a contingent from Auckland, were given no difficulty in the streets, at the park or at the railway station. The distinctive blue tunic of the Legion of .Frontiersmen was prominent among the crowds yesterday, 25 members of the Stratford troop being drafted to New Plymouth to assist with arrangements. Four troopers mounted guard at the cenotaph by the railway station, and the remainder were detailed to assist with the control of crowds along the route and at Pukekura Park.