WATERFRONT ROAD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 255, 28 October 1930, Page 3

WATERFRONT ROAD.

TRANSPORT SCHEME. SERVICE TO ST. HELIER'S. FEEDER BUSES TO REMUERA. The question of transport facilities along the new waterfront road was discussed at this mornings meeting of the Auckland Transport Board, when L. J. Keys, Ltd., applied for authority to run a bus service from Sturdee Street to St. Heliers, via "Waterfront Road, Mission Bay and Kohimarama. Mr. Keys, in a letter to the board, stated that the district had been served by his firm for a number of years, and he hoped that the board would give the application favourable consideration. He could not foretell how the timetable he submitted would suit the traffic, as trade would depend on the month in which the service commenced. The road had not yet been opened for traffic, but if the license were granted the firm would be in a position to commence running immediately the road was declared open for bus traffic as far as Mission Bay. As the route to Kohimarama and St. Heliers would not be completely available until certain widening operations had been carried out it would be necessary to traverse Kaumati, Selwyn and Kohimarama Roads in the meantime. It was not proposed to alter the fares on this account, ! but it was hoped to build up the service pending the completion of the whole road. Feeder Service. In a further letter Mr. Keys said that when the Waterfront Road was opened it was evident that a through service via Remuera would not be economically possible or necessary. An application would be maae later to convert the present service into a feeder service, connecting with the tramway system at Meado'wbank Road. In the meantime he proposed a discussion with the management of the Transport Board with a view to arranging suitable time-tables and fares, which could later be submitted to the board for approval.

Air. 1L E. Fawcettj representing the Tainaki Ratepayers and Residents' Association, asked for the question to be adjourned for a fortnight. His association was anxious for members of the board to meet, his executive. Distinct objections existed at the present time to what was proposed. The chairman, Jlr. J. A. C. Allum, said the board had given more notice than the Transport Act required. An application was before the board, and ir, was for person- interested either to support it or object. Objections should be stated. Mr. Fawcctt said there Were many worrying elements in the district, and he was not prepared to state a case at I the moment. : The chairman saia it was quite evident that there was a diversity of I opinion, especially in respect to thc| Waterfront Road. The board, he thought,] would have to make a decision. \ Mr. M. J. toyle aeked if there would; be any harm in deferring decision. In reply to a resident of the Tamaki; district, the chairman said that it was not right for anybody to ask the board j to come to a district and hold a discussion. If they had objections they must, come before, the board in open meeting. " Extraordinary Position." Mr. E. H. Potter said an extraordinary position had arisen. Did the people who were asking for a postponement represent tho whole of the district which the buses would serve: - The board had to be fair to all the residents. Mr. A. J. Entrican, referring to the Kemuera service, said that if an adequate service was to be run somebody would lose money. There must be one service for the whole district a≤ well a≤ for the Waterfront Koati. It was decided to defer decision on the application until next Tuesday morning, when the board will hold c special meetin,-' to hear representations from all interested parties. The proposal of Mr. Keys to confer with the manager in respect to the feeder service time-table was agreed to. Not Anxious. At a later stage of the meeting a recommendation was adopted from the board in committee that: "Provided that i a private operator is prepared to conduct a satisfactory service at reasonable fares \ the board take no action with regard to 1 the establishment of a service itself."

The chairman said the recommendation was only provisional. It meant that a private operator would not be opposed by an application from the Transport Board to run its own service. The whole of the district had to be served, not merely the Waterfront Road. The board was not anxious to run its own service. Members were happy to leave it in the hands of a private operator. Mr. Potter said the board had to be just to the whole district. Mr. J. Wood said when the board was constituted the cry was '"Get rid of the buses." He hoped that they were not considering a reversal of policy.