AUCKLAND TRANSPORT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 160, 8 July 1932, Page 3

AUCKLAND TRANSPORT.

HISTORY FROM EARLY DAYS. BOARD'S TWO DUTIES. ADDRESS BY THE CHAIRMAN. In an addrees at the Leys Institute last night the chairman uf tho Auckland Transport Board, Mr. J. A. C. Alluin, traversed the history of Auckland traneport from ISB3, when the first Order-in-Council was issued authorising tho construction of tramways in Auckland, Parnell and Newmarket. The first tramway, horse-drawn, to be completed was tho line from the Waitemata Hotel, via Queen Street, to the Poiisonby reservoir, the run of which was commenced on Augiust 11, 1354. In 1002 the horse-drawn vehicles were replaced by uloctric! trams, which to-day operate over 4") miles of route. . Tlie electric trains parsed into the hands of the Auckland City Council in 1010 and subsequently were taken over by the Auckland Traneport Board in 1!)28. Reference was aiso made to tlie severe competition between trams and omnibusee which took place between 1924 and 1921 i, and Mr. Allum explained the various statutes which had been enacted willi the object of controlling and coordinating road passenger transport. Although in the past there had been much diversity, of opinion regarding thin legislation, it had operated successfully in Auckland, and he said no experienced transport operator wished to go back to tlie old conditions of unrestricted competition. .Mr. Alluin pointed out that the Auckland Transport Hoard has two duties, the one to operate ite publicly-owned tram and omnibus services, and the other in its capacity as the Auckland Metropolitan Licensing Authority, to license and control tin; privately-owned omnibus services. Jn the latter capacity the board had worked in harmony with tlie private bus operators. At the present time tho Auckland Transport Hoard employs a staff of approximately 11 i>o, including representative* of many professions and trades. Mr. Allum briefly outlined the duties of the various departments. The Transport Hoard's bill for ■electricity is nearly £80,000 per annum, and it. pays in ratee to local bodies about £7000 annually. Debentures issued total in value £2,144,3Q0. At present there is in the sinking fund the very largo sum of £050,800, all invested "outside tlie tramway undertaking. The board, ,said Mr. Alluin, was in a strong financial posit ioii and had never cost tlie ratepayers a single penny in rates.