OUR TRAMWAYS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 111, 10 May 1895, Page 3

OUR TRAMWAYS.

PROPOSED PURCHASE BY AN :': ENGLISH SYNDICATE/ ' *

INTRODUCTION OF ELECTRICITY,

COMPLETION OF, THE .CIRCUITS,

The following important letter from Mr James ; Stewart was read at the meeting of 'the ; City Council last: evening :r-f' v I have | the honour to address you on the part of. a projected English.Company, wHo purpose to'avail themselves of; the option^of puri'ebasing the Auckland tramways, and who intend to complete the circuib originally" arranged via College Hill , and . Parnell, . together with the extension to Onehunga, and instal electric traction; over ,the .whole system. The expenditure involved in the scheme ia abdub £90,000,.in addition to the purchase of the existing* tramway property. The promoters include electric lighting in the scheme, aba further cost, and-1 need not enlarge on the advantage such would be to the Arb Galleries and Free Library, nob to speak of other public institutions, if. supplied aba price not exceeding that of gas. I understand that of the original Tramway Company's lease there remain unexpired about nine years only, and this is obviously an insufficient period of tenure on which to base a scheme as I have described. I am, therefore, requested by the promoters to ascertain if the Borough Council will be willing to grant anew lease under the Tramways Act, 1894, on equitable terms to any responsible Company formed for the above purposes. The mode of application of the electric current will be by the overbead wire system so very largely adopted in America, and which under its latest im^ provement has given so much satisfaction in England-. Ib would be bub of place here to enter folly into the details of the proposal, bub I will be pleased to meet any committee of your Council and explain the proposed method of working, and afford any information of my Board, and matters relating to the working generally and coming under the scope and function of bhe Council."

The letter was referred to the Streets Committee, Mr Stewarb to be invited bo abtend.