NEW BUS SERVICE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 217, 13 September 1930, Page 7

NEW BUS SERVICE.

NORTHCOTE PROPOSAL.

BOROUGH FAVOURABLE.

BUT ONLY JUST

After a discussion of nearly three hours, the Northcote Borough Council, at a special meeting last evening, decided to offer no objection to the application of a company to establish a bus service between Highbury Corner, Birkenhead, and Northcote wharf. There was a condition added providing that safeguards should be stipulated that the interests of the company at present running should not be prejudiced. This decision is to be forwarded to the No. 2 Licensing Authority, which meets on Tuesday. In support of the new service, or at least some new service, with the promise of lower fares, a deputation of residents from the Onewa Road, or upper portion of the borough, waited on the council. Opinion was so evenly divided over the question of whether the Waitemata Bus Company should'first be allowed an opportunity to improve the service to that particular portion of tin bus run that an amendment embodying the suggestion needed the casting vote of the Mayor, Mr. A. E. Greenslade, before it was lost.' Level Fares Guaranteed. Asked about his fares in reference to the running costs of such a service, Mr. T. Smith, representing the company, guaranteed to keep his prices as stated for on- year, provided that running costs remained the same. All the speakers for the Onewa Road deputation, some half-dozen strong, stressed the inadequacy of the present bus system, and the high fares charged. Some"3oo to 400 residents were affected, and, in fact, about that number had signed a petition in favour of the new service, said Mr. L.' T. Hayman.

The manager of the Waitemata Company, Mr. E. Whitcombe, said that under his new management an improved service was intended, particularly in the upper end. The Mayor then moved his resolution, and Mr. F. Wilson his amendment.

Speaking on his amendment, Mr. Wilson said the borough was not large enough fqr two services. Cut-throat competition might ruin both companies, and thus inevitablv cause higher fares.

"The point at issue," Mr. H. Weaver reminded the meeting, "is whether or not the service would be advantageous to the borough. Nothing else concerns us." He thought that if the matter of a new service had not been raised for them, the present company would not have bothered to make any improvement to the existing one. He was in favour of the application.

Other councillors also spoke, and though opinion, was divided over Mr. Wilson's amendment, all considered that something should be done for the upperend residents.