THE TRAM RAILS IN QUEEN STREET.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 165, 14 July 1902, Page 2

THE TRAM RAILS IN QUEEN STREET.

(To the Editor. , *

Sir, —A statement of some importance was made by Councillor Baume at the Council meeting on Thursday evening last. It was to the effect, "that he had been informed that grave doubts were entertained as to whether the under stratum of Queen-street was solid enough to long bear the traffic that would be put upon it, and it might always be a difficult matter to maintain the permanent levels there" Now, if there is" , anything in this fear, then- why in the name of common sense was the Order-in-Council departed from, for I think, if Councillor Baume examines that, he will find in Clause 11 the following:—"The rails used shall' be of steel) and be grooved or. otherwise, and they shall-.be laid upon, and secured to, wood, iron or steel sleepers, supported upon ballast, or upon, and secured to, concrete blocks or sleepers, as may be approved by the Council." Now, the question may fairly be asked why the Council has departed from the Order-in-Couiieil in this particular, and allowed the.company to dispense with sleepers altogether throughout the city, and by so doing save an enormous sum ? I think an explanation is needed. If this alteration has bi?en made without reference to the Council, then what were the Councillors, doing to have allowed it?—l am, etc., PRO BONO PUBLICO.