§ Mr. BOLANDasked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the dangerous corner at the junction of Station-road and Minnis Bay-road, Birchington; and whether, seeing that a serious motoring accident has already occurred at this corner, he will have an inquiry made as to the causes which prevent the local authority from making this corner safe for pedestrians and others?
§ Mr. BURNSI have made inquiry on this subject. I understand that the rural district council communicated with the owner with a view to the purchase of sufficient land to round the corner with a footpath, but he then required £100 for the land, and that the district council should set back the existing wall. These terms they considered unreasonable. They are desirous of reducing the height of the wall from 6 feet to 3, and of putting an open iron railing on it, but to this the owner will not agree. Recently they have again approached the owner, who has expressed his willingness to accept £60 for the land if the district council set back the wall. This offer has not yet been considered by the council. It appears to be very desirable that an improvement should be made at the corner, and I trust that the parties may be able to come to terms so as to secure that this shall be done.