THE TRAMWAYS SCHEME.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3467, 6 March 1912, Page 5

THE TRAMWAYS SCHEME.

mm WILL THE ACTUAL WORK BE COMMENCED ? SCARCITY OF METAL GREAT HANDICAP. DEFINITE SCHEME OF ACTION URGED. When the Borough Engineer’s report was uu-der consideration by the Borougn Council last evening Cr. Collins said the ratepayers now considered that they were entitled to some information regarding the tramways scheme, and hoTv the work of installing tile system was proceeding. He’ wanted to know if the cars were shipped, and how they were being sent out. The Town. Clerk replied that they were just about being. shipped now though he received no intimation that they’fad been shipped. The cars xvould be sent out! in pieces ready toi be assembled here. o. Collins: 'When does the Mayor consider the scheme xvill be started ? The Mover: lam hoping to see the work started before the present month is out. ■ „ _ ... Turning to the Engineer Cr. Collins wanted to know when he considered the tramways xvould be running ? The Engineer replied that he did not know. They wanted another locomotive for metal in order that the ballasting might he carried out. They had material and sleepers to go on with, and there were 10,000 more -sleepers -on order. They had -about £BOOO available. In reply to Councillor Dartom the Mayor stated that he thought it would be a very -difficult thing to call for tenders for this work. It xvas _ for the Council to decide liQw they wished the work gone on with. A report would come -up from the Engineer. Cr. Collins said that it xvas for the Council to take u-p the matter of tramways without delay, and -give the public some knowledge regarding the work, as they were demanding it. The Council appeared to be in a fog in regard to the matter. The Mayor: I can’t see that. I'm not in a fog. Continuing, Cr. Collins said the question of the tramways was lying solely between departmental officers and the Council did not knoxv xvluat steps were being taken to start the xvork, whether bv contract or day labor. ‘ In reply to Or.. Collins, the Engineer said lie did not know hoxv it xvas to be done, except by day labor. Cr. Barton said that they had their rails rusting in the yard and something should be clone. They should decide when they were going to lay the line. The Engineer said that it was a question of ballast. He could lay more line in a week than he could ballast in a month. Until the other locomotive arrived he could not tell what h c could do. Cr. Dart-on wanted to knoxv xvhy they ordered the cars -so much ahead if the work of laying the rails was not proceeded with. Cr. Collins said that the late Mayor had pointed out there would be plenty of metal from the quarry for ballasting the line, and now for the first time they had from the Engineer a -public expression of opinion that their scheme could not go on because they xx'ere held up by a scarcity of metal. The Engineer said he. could go -on with the xvork if he had the metal that was now going to the Cook County Council. Cr. Collins moved, and it xvas duly seconded: “That the Engineer be asked to draw up a definite scheme of action with regard! to the initiation and carrying out of the tramways. The Engineer said that the Order-iu-Council had not yet been signed by the Government authorities. 'Flie motion xvas carried.