ROYAL COMMISSION.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 96, 24 April 1928, Page 8

ROYAL COMMISSION.

TRANSPORT OF PASSENGERS

INQUIRY COMMENCES THURSDAY.

OUTLINE OF BUSINESS.

Hie Royal Commission appointed to inquire into the transport of passengers in the Auckland Metropolitan District will commence its sittings at the Manchester Unity Oddfellows' Hall, at the corner erf Victoria and Hobson Streets, at 10 o'clock next Thursday. In an advertisement inserted in the Press all persons who so desire are asked to attend and give evidence. commissioners are Mr. J. S. Barton, S.M., Wanganui, chairman; Mr. W. 1 T. Goodman, traffic manager, Adelaide ; and Mr. A. Edward, retired superintendent of traffic, Sydney. The Auckland City Council will be represented by Messrs. Stanton and Johnstone, and the suburban local bodies by Messrs. V. R. Meredith, E. H. Northcroft, J. M. Melville and H. M. Rogerson. The order of procedure has not yet been decided upon. Counsel will give opening addresses before evidence is called, but who shall have the privilege of making the first speech has not been decided. The Order of Reference. The order of reference provides for inquiry into the present transport services of the district, its present and future requirements, and the means by which these may be best provided for. In particular the commissioners are asked to investigate:— (a.) The adequacy, efficiency and suitability of the existing transport system maintained by the Auckland City Council and other existing transport services, as regards administration, equipment, working and financial provisions. (b) The working and effect in the district of the provisions of the Motor Omnibus Traffic Act, 1920, and it s regulations.

(c) The working and effect in the district of other statutes and regulations affecting vehicular transport. (d) The suitability for the district of motor omnibus transport, either in conjunction with or as an adjunct to tramway transport.

(e) -The most suitable form of transport for localities within and localities beyond the tram termini; whether services for such localities should be feeder services or through services or a combination of both; whether and to what extent such services should be conducted by local bodies or any other public management or by private enterprise; and whether and to what extent such services should be under the control of local bodies or any other public control. (f) The desirability of establishing a transport board for the district or any part of it, and if so, with what constitution, powers of control, powers of undertaking transport services and means of obtaining funds for its purl<oßes, and whether such a board, if established, should take over all or any existing transport services, and if so upon what terms.

The areas affected are the City of Auckland, the Borough of Newmarket, the Borough of Mount Eden, the Borough of Mount Albert, the Borough of Onehunga, the Borough of Otahuhu, the New Lynn Town District, the Glen Eden Town District, the Henderson Town District, the Ellerslie Town District, the Moijnt Roskill Road District, the One Tree District, the' Mount Wellington • Road District, ' the Panmure Township Road District* and such areas in the vicinity of Aucland not included in the district, but exclusive of localities on the north shore of Waitemata Harbour, as in the opinion of the commission should be included in any general consideration of the transport of passengers in the districts mentioned or any substantial portion of them.

The commission's report is returnable to the Government by May 26.