THE TRAMWAY SERVICE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 3735, 22 January 1913, Page 5

THE TRAMWAY SERVICE.

HOW* WILL THE BOROUGH BE BEST SERVED ?

THE WEST END OBJECTORS DISCUSSION BY BOROUGH COUNCIL.

' The subject of tramway routes, as to what service will provide for the greatest number and bring in the most revenue, is a popular subject of discussion, and it was before the Borough Council last evening. The Mayor (Mi- Pettie) and Crs. Wade, Hepburn, Brown and Webb were present when the discussion took place and Cr. Smith arrived in time to vote on the matter. The West-Enders’ Grievance.

The following letter, signed by G. K. Paisley, F. C. Faram and P. G. Andrew, was forwarded to the Council :

“We beg to inform.you that at; a public meeting of ratepayers held in the Te Hapara School last night we were appointed a committee to convey to your Council the following resolution with reasons in support of the same: — “That a strong protest be made to the Borough Council against any deviation from tlie original tram route, and that the Council be urged to proceed with and push forward the West End route to the Park gates as approved by the ratepayers when the loan was Voted upon.

“The following are the main reasons for this request: —(a) There is a general consensus of opinion that the section from the Post Office to the Park gates will be the most remunerative and pay much better than two short- spur lines from Roebuck Road, (b) A section from Roebuck Road to the western boundary would tap an enormous area in the borough and cater for a large number of borough ratepayers. (c) A large number of ratepayers have built, or purchased, sections for building on, in this area under the impression commonly prevalent, since the original poll, that the West End section would be the first constructed, (cl) The carrying out of this route would enable, the Council to open up its splendid public domain at Makaraka and provide ample playing fields for the various sports bodies, (e) Continuing the trams along the main road would be keeping faith with the ratepayers who voted for the loan on the understanding that the lines would follow certain defined routes, (f) That by running to the freezing works gate a. regular and paying traffic! would be assured and the service would benefit by all functions held at the Park.

What the Mayor Thinks. The Mayor said there was never any decision that the- tramway service should be constructed to the Park gates first. Of course, it was authorised that the tramways should be constructed there, but there was no resolution that it should be the first portion of the work to be constructed. When the matter of taking the tramway over Roebuck Road bridge was under consideration, the. reasons advanced were (1) that it was absolutely necessary to give Whataupoko people consideration knowing that a very large number of the Borough ratepayers lived on the Whataupoko side, and (2) the present Peel Street bridge being altogether unfit to take the tramway. the best way to take the trams to Whataupoko would be over the Roebuck Road bridge. He wanted to see the service gt) as far over tlie Roebuck Road bridge as money would admit, and as far as Cook Street, or Wellington Street, if possible. Cr. Webb. Take it to tlie boundary, anyhow. The Mayor: I think as far as Wellington Street will fairly meet our own ratepayers. We do not want to go to the Park gate first, to serve tire country, as it were, before we serve our own ratepayers. I think it is a wise thing to take it over the Roebuck Road bridge. Over Wi Pere Street and on to Ormond Road would serve a large number of people, who would be able to take advantage of the trams and would also serve the Mangapapa district. We look to the Mangapapa district to bring us in very considerable revenue. It is proposed at present to take the trams to Ormond Road and to Wellington Street, and I think this would be very much better than confining ourselves to the Gladstone Road section. Cr. Webb: There is a great deal of traffic, from the West End, taking the freezing works and the cemetery. The buses would not run there if it did not pay. The Mayor: When the matter was considered by the Council, not a voice was raised against our decision, and the West End people really lost thenopportunity to object. I personally want to see everyone treated as fairly as possible, but the whole thing goes hack to the question of money. We have not got enough money to carry out the whole of the authorised line, and wo must do the district which will bring us most revenue. We will have to go to tlie ratepayers for more money if we want it. We cannot do more than apply for an extension of the Ordei-in-Council for the Roebuck Road bridge line. I think we are doins; the right thing, and I move that the ratepayers be written to and advised on the lines I have suggested.

Councillors’ ViewsCr. Hepburn said the tramway should be laid first whore it would pay best and he thought to the Park gates was such a lino. ’1 hero would soon be six race days in the year, and two show days. There would be no objection if the trams bad, gone over the Whataupoko bridge as at first suggested. but- a number of the residents on that side of the river were nearer town than the Wi Perc Street junction. Then there was the freezing works’ traffic. The Mayor: Ho you advocate spending the whole of the money available for putting the trams to the Park gates? We have only got a certain sum to spend. C-r. Hepburn : T am looking from a revenue point of view. It is no good going on losing money for four or five years. Cr. Webb: You may as well put the oars on the scrap heap as run them to the. part of the town decided on. Cr. Hepburn continued that it was

not. likely that people living in this endi of Whataupoko would go to ike Roebuck Roacl bridge. The Engineer: What abort tie Hospital ? Cr. Hepburn : That is something, of course, but not as gi-eat as the traffic I have mentioned. Cr. Brown advocated serving, the Borough residents at first- and, as tlie Peel Street bridge could not be used, the Roebuck Road bridge deviation was tlie only way out of the difficulty. If money were available he would certainly support-going right to the boundary'. Ho would vote for going on with the -service to Kaiti, but unfortunately the bridge would not permit of that being done. It was ridiculous nonsense to run tlie trams in anticipation of six or eight days races. As a matter of fact, people would prefer a cab, which would take them right into the grounds. Tlie Council would not be justified in spending money for the present in taking the service beyond the Borough. _ Cr. Wade seconded His Worship’s proposition. He said they had to start somewhere, but why send the whole service at first- to the Park gates for a few days’ racing? He thought the present deviation' was a very wise one. While on his feet, lie must state that it was scandalous the 1 manner in which the service was being laid down. He saw men sitting on sleepers, smoking, every day. Cr. Webb : I know they are going at a tremendous pace. Cr. Wade: It is scandalous and disgraceful.

What Pays Best. The Engineer: The section which will pay the b t is from Roebuck Road bridge to he Post Office. Cr. Webb : We may as well put the trams on the sc. apheap. The Engineer said that experience showed that the business portion, where people were in a. hurry to get over short distances, was where the trams paid best. Cr. Hepburn : What is the intention at the present time? The Mayor: r > apply for the Order-in-Co-uncil and it will then be within the province o' 1 L he Council to decide whether the 1 ins shall go further up Gladstone Road or over the Roebuck Road bridge first. We cannot do anything until the Order-in-Council is granted, but we can go as far as the Park, if necessary, in the other direction, because it is authorised.” The motion moved by the Mayor was put and carried.