The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News and The Echo. TUESDAY, MAY 27, 1930. TRAMS IN ALBERT STREET.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 123, 27 May 1930, Page 6

The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News and The Echo.

TUESDAY, MAY 27, 1930. TRAMS IN ALBERT STREET.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the And the good that we can do.

A very strong case for further inquiry

before tram rails are laid along Albert Street was made by the deputation of Queen Street ratepayers which waited upon the Transport Board to-day. That improvement of tram traffic facilities at peak load periods is essential is undeniable. The deputation contended that the service could be speeded up by fuller use of the existing facilities and by taking advantage of the routing possibilities provided by a line of rails round the Civic Square, and adequate use of the Gladstone Building area at the foot of Queen Street acquired by the City Council for that purpose. At present Albert Street is a very useful street as a by-pass for motor traffic; a fixed rail system would make it far less valuable for that purpose, especially as there are two levels at various points in the street, with consequent narrowing of its surface. The transfer of tram traffic for the area west of Queen Street to Albert Street would relieve the congestion at the peak period, but it has yet to be demonstrated that so costly a system, involving a capital expenditure of £30,000, is justified when cheaper methods may achieve the same object. The manager of the system has not made his suggestions without careful inquiry, but there are factors to be considered outside the effect on tram traffic alone, and the appeal to the Board to ascertain the Auckland City Council's point of view before committing itself to the expenditure proposed is an entirely reasonable one. The effect on Queen Street properties, and on the rates received by the Council as a result of taking a large proportion of traffic out of the main street of Auckland, cannot be estimated

without inquiry, and the Council, in the interests of its own finance and of its ratepayers, is entitled to be heard. It must not be forgotten that the proposal to carry trams through Albert Street, and on through Vincent Street to the western suburbs, was rejected three years ago. That, of course, involved a much greater expenditure than the present proposal, but the smaller seheme, to Wellesley Street only, was then considered as an alternative, but was left in the air. To put it into effect now, without a full appreciation and understanding of its ultimate effects, is not warranted, and until inquiry has established that no alternative method is available leading even approximately to the same results, the Transport Board should delay action.