COUNTY TRAMWAYS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2192, 16 May 1908, Page 2

COUNTY TRAMWAYS.

PATUTAHI AND MOTU SCHEMES.

PLANS TO BE PREPARED

A special meeting of the Cook County Council was held yesterday to further consider Mr A. Forde Matthews’ proposal to lay a tramway to Patutahi. The details of the scheme had already been discussed, and a conference held with the Gisborne Borough Council to decide what quantity of metal that body would be prepared, tq take from the Patutahi quarry within fire years if the time was laid down. There were present yesterday: Captain Tucker (chairman), Crs. H. White, A. F. Matthews, W. U. Lysnar, T. Holden, and F. Lysnar. ' The Chairman said the first thing to do was to prepare plans and details of tlie scheme, and give tho ratepayers an opportunity of lodging objections. ‘One third of the ratepayers had power to veto the proposal. Cr. Matthews moved that the County Engineer bo instructed to prepare tlio plans. The Council could not put the scherfie before the ratepayers until that was done. Cr. Holden seconded tho motion. Cr. F. Lysnar asked if the route had been decided upon; because if tho shortest route was taken it would he of very little use for passenger traffic.

The Chairman said the route had been decided upon when the original proposition was before the Council. I’he trains would g 0 along the abattoirs route.

Cr. Matthews’ motion was carried

MOTU TRAMS,

The suggested tramway scheme for the Motu district as proposed by Mr \Y. L. "Rees was then considered.

Mr ltees, who was present, said ho hacl entered into an agreement with Mr Limbrick to use the trams and was prepared to do the same with the other applicant (Mr "Wilkinson). A clause was inserted in the agreement “that should any dispute arise between the three parties to the agreement, the dispute would be settled by the Council.” Mr Rees said that while the lino of trams, running parallel with tlio railway, would be only of a temporary nature and would have to bo taken up, the sido lines would be permanent, 'lie intended to ask the Government to push on tho earthworks ol the railway line between Waikohu and Rakauroa, and allow him to run his tram line on the side of the earthworks. 'By this means the side lines-could* supply the Government with good timber for sleepers and other purposes and as the railway was pushed oil the tram could bo taken up. He thought permission to use the earthworks could be 'got and lie intended to ask the Council to support him in tlie request. As soon' as he got tlie license from the Council lie would go up to tho district and lay the scheme before che settlers and get the line surveyed.

On the motion of the Chairman fho license to construct the tram was granted to Mr Rees in accordance i.'itli the conditions agreed to at a previous meeting of the Council. Mr Rees asked that a clause be inserted in the agreement giving him power to assign his rights to a company. He was willing to enter into a bond of £IOO to safeguard the Council against any liability in tlio construction of the tram. The request was granted.