CONTROL OF TRAMWAYS

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 142, 15 June 1917, Page 6

CONTROL OF TRAMWAYS

COUNCIL WANTS IT BACK.

| DEPUTATION TO MINISTER.

_ SMALL HOPE HELD OCT. The often-urged restoration of the control of electric tramways to the local bodies concerned was brought before Hon. W. Fraser. Minister of Public Works, this morning by a deputation from the Public Services Committee ot the City Council. Messrs. \V. S. Short (Under-Secretary of Public Works I, K. AY. Holmes (Eiigineer-in-C'iiei). and ItT. Murray (district engineer) were present at the i erview.

Mr. J. Tre.vethick. who acted as spokesman, pointed out to the .Minister that the transference of the control ol tramway systems from the local bodies to the "public Works Department had been strenuously opposed in 1907. and again in 1910. when it was sanctioned by Parliament. It was argued then that the control was a lex-al matter, and could be much better exercised by the local bodies concerned. Now their powers were merclv nominal, for they could do jio more than license motormen and conductors. It was not suggested that the -Public Works Department was neglecting its duties, but there was a conviction that, having many other cares, it could not exercise such effective supervision as the local bodies, to which the public invariable- made their complaints. Apart from major matters, as the inspection and 'licensing of ear?, and the regulation ol" their capacity and speed, there were a number of other details, such as destination signs, lighting, and hell sisnal.-. to which a local body could give more time and attention than a Government department. The referring of small matters to Wellington was unsatisfactory. and gcncrallv, through delay and decreasing interest, defeated the object in view. Mr. Trevethick suggested, on behalf of the Counei!. that the Government should either repeal the 1010 legislation or transfer the powers which it granted back from the Department to the local bodies. Mr. W. -I. Holdsworth remarked that the AiK-klan.l public- were getting very uneasy about tramway control, and the Council had never before received so many complaints about the Auckland Tramway Co.'s tracks and rolling-stock. The company, in fact, was letting the whole of its equipment get into a very bad condition. There had lately been some serious accidents, and it was felt that others of the kind could be avoided by good supervision, such as the Council was capable of exercising. Mr Ernest Davis said that the Council as the corporate body of Greater Auckland, was not only anxious to take over tbe control of the tramways, but was thoroughly capable in every way ot eserei-ing it efficiently.

LEGISLATION UNLIKELY. Mr. Fraser. in repiv. pointed out that .Auckland wis placed differently from the other towns of the Dominion, in that the tramways were owned, not by the municipality, but by a company. Parliament had thought it inadvisable that the municipalities, which, in tho Other centres were interested in making their tramways pay. should continue to have sole control. It had been said that the state of the Auckland trams was bad. but he would like to know whether the Council had made, any formal complaint to his department. Mi. H. W. Wilson (Town (lcrk) stated that the Council once complained of the noise made by the cars, and had received o reply that' there was no exe-essive noise, "it had then taken to supplying tlie cemipany with lists of noisy ears, and the trouble had been eonsider—bly abated.

Mr. Fraser. i-ontinuine. said that the noise of lhe oars was certainly less now than in years gone by. It hail been innefl— ivelv proved that the recent accidents had not been due to defective i quipment. Mr. Holdsworth: There has been strong evidence of the physical unfitness of the men.

Mr. Eraser went on to say that the men had to pass tests set by the inspector of machinery. Regulations for the <ontrol of tramways by the Department bad been prepared, but owing to effect of the war upon the importation of rollingfctoek and the supply of men it was decided that they could not be put into force. He suggested that the City l emnc-il should co-operate with the Depart)—ent by reporting all complaints except frivolous ones to the local engineer. He woulei undertake lo lay the representations before Cabinet, but he ir.uld hold out no hope that any legislation would lie introduced before th» end of tin- war.

In thanking tiie Minister for the hearing he had given to the deputation. Mr. Trcvethick -ai.l that he ;\ ishel it to l-.e understood that the Council did not accuse the Ir.nnwav Company of exploiting the public.

Japan is now suplying sheet glass to glaziers in Australia and New Zealand. Formerly our sheet glass came either from England or Belgium, mostly from tne latter country. f„ r in order {„ com . Pete satisfactorily the Pilkinatons, of •-t. Helens (the foremost manufactur-er-.-U? i "! ti,e l;nit( ' d kingdom) : t rt Ucd works *» Belgium. Cp till a wer; °JLV a >'«*' *_» local importers ?i.m (un.le Cto get « lass *™* Bel-ti-e „«. i Amster *an», but that nracWt as C ood a-Beteu-.! also sendinc v leather _ apan is leather joodk. " and "***-»"