The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY. FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 1927. THAT INADEQUATE TRAMWAYS SYSTEM!

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10305, 14 January 1927, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY. FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 1927. THAT INADEQUATE TRAMWAYS SYSTEM!

lii view of the fact that two members were absent from this week's meeting of the “City Fathers,” a very proper step was taken when it was decided to defer consideration of Cr. DeCosta’s motion with reference to the tramways system. The Mayor had. no doubt, good grounds for suggesting that, if the resolution were pressed, it might be carried and that, subsequently, with a full attendance of the Council, it was likely to be rescinded.' What is aimed at by the motion is so transparent that nolpdy can possibly be deceived*. Already, as is well-known, two polls of the ratepayers have been held on the subject as to whether or not the system should be retained and both have had a like result, .viz, that it should he abandoned. It is true that finality has not, as yet, been reached on the point, on account of the lodging of a protest alleging that the re-taken poll should be declared invalid. The motion can.

in the circumstances, he regarded as, at least, untimely, if not as flouting the mandate of the ratepayers, for that is what the verdict at the ballot box will amount to if it should be held that the second poll was quite in order. It is beyond question that one of the things sought Wy the motion is that no further poll should be taken should such a step be found necessary liefore the Government can be invited to approve of the proposal to discontinue the trams. In short what is suggested is that, recently, the system has been earning more than sufficient revenue to meet operating expenses and that such being the case it would be better to allow the trams to scrap themselves than to take them off the roads. The contention might hold good as far as allowing the trams to continue for some time longer were concerned if the system were proving adequate to the needs of the town and suburbs. But, unhappily, that is not the case. It is unfortunate also for the originator of the idea that the figures which he has used will require to staud criticism from the point of view as to whether or not every rightful charge against revenue has been included and, further,. as to whether or not repairs and maintenance liave teen kept up to a reasonable standard over the period in question. Cr. DeCosta is certainly most optimistic if he believes the Council will agree, that the prospect of somewhat cheaper “juice" in two years would be sufficient justification for a detision to retain a system that is advantageous to only a section of the residents of the town and suburbs. The further* suggestion that the installation of even an overhead tram system could he brought up for consideration later on (in addition 1c one for substituting ’buses for the pre- j sent system) can be regarded only

as utter foolishness. On every hand, it will be freely admitted that the day is over in respect of the adoption of the costly overhead system of’trams in small towns. The subject may be again thoroughly ventilated at the next meeting of the “City Fathers,” but the mover would ! e well advised to let it stand over until, at any Vate, the Magistrate is able to give his decision as to whether the second poll was or was noi valid.