The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 1909. THE TRAMWAY POLL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2454, 19 March 1909, Page 4

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 1909. THE TRAMWAY POLL.

We have no hesitation in urging all ratepayers of the Cook County to record their votes to-day in favor of submitting to a. poll the suggested loan’ for a tramway from Gisborne to Patutahi. The work is not only desirable, but it is absolutely necessary if- the work of roading the county is to bo carried out is an economical and commonsense manner. In the past heavy loads of metal used either for county or borough purposes have in transit over the roads cut them up so badly a.s to very greatly increase the cost. The upkeep of the thoroughfares over which the waggons passed was eo great that one- could reasonably liken this method to that of a person who endeavored to empty the Waikanae beach with a sieve. By means of the tramway the county will be enabled to obtain metal at about half the present cost, and without involving the. upkeep of roads used in transit. Borough residents in particular should support the proposal," which provide&the only sound method at present in sight for giving a supply of metal without which it is impossible to place our roads and streets in decent condition. But even those who were not enthusiastic ip support of ihe tramway scheme have no cause for objecting to the proposal contained in today’s poll, which is merely a preliminary to the main issue. To-day’s poll, if carried, merely authorises the Council to place the proposal for a loan before the ratepayers on a subsequent occasion, and" before such a poll can be arranged statutory meetings.of ratepayers /must be held in each riding in order that the work proposed can lie fully ventilated. Under these circumstances there can be no sound objection to the proposal submitted to-day, and on the other hand there are vital reasons in its favor.