AVONDALE TRAMS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 187, 9 August 1932, Page 8

AVONDALE TRAMS.

ADJUSTMENTS OF SECTIONS.

PETITION TO BOARD.

FURTHER CONSIDERATION".

Section adjustments on the Avondale tramway extension were discussed at this .morning's meeting of the Auckland Transport Board, when a petjtion with 360-signatures was received from residents in the Richardson Road-Woodward Road-Ennismore Road area. Petitioners said they felt they were not receiving the same benefits as other districts by reason of the fact that the terminal sections on this route were shorter than on other routes. A request was made fo!r the extension of the present fourth section to Richardson Road or Ennismore Road. A comparison of the length of sections on the various routes should satisfy the board of the reasonableness of the request.

"Although the petition is not bulky, it having been in circulation only four days," stated the covering letter, "it represents the feeling of the whole area, which, is whole-heartedly and emphatically in its favour." It was desired that the sections Trom the city to Avondale should b<3 revised, so that there should be a total of five instead of six scctione. Manager's Report. The manager, Mr. A. E. Ford, reported that the distance from Mount Albert Road to Richardson Road was 32 chains, I and extending the section as requested would mean that all tram passengers boarding or alighting at Richardson Road, would travel for one penny less than they now paid, and the tramway revenue would be reduced accordingly. A recent check of the number of passengers boarding and alighting from traincars at Richardson Road showed the number to be approximately 400 pei- 4ay, and on that basis the extension of the fourth section would result in a decrease of over £<500 per annum. Actu- , ; ally - it.-would. eiccexL.iiiat--amount,, as '

no allowance had been made for persons who now boarded or alighted at Ennismore Road, the majority of whom would walk to Richardson Road if the section were extended to that point. The through faro was now Od, or 51d by twelve-trip concession ticket, although there were 6 sections and the ordinary charge would be 7d. From' Ennismore ; Road the fare by concession ticket was 15d, and workers' weekly tickets were available at 3id per ride. The construction of the Avondale extension was only recently completed and cost approximately £48/00, on which standing charges' by way of interest and sinking fund, as well as operating costs, had to be met. In view of the existing conditions he was unable to recommend any alteration in the length of sections at the present time. "Heads, not Hearts." The chairman, Mr. J. A. C. Allum, said it was a case in which the board

! would like to do something, but in the present position of affairs 'they could not let their hearts rule their heads. There was justice in the claim of the petitioners, but it was not possible to remove all the anomalies <at present. The workers were at no disadvantage. He referred to a letter tha<t had been received from the Mount Albert Borough Council after Mr. Ford's report had been •made asking the board to adjust the sections as follows: Extending the St. Luke's Road end of one section to/Mountain Road and Wairere Avenue junction, the next section ,to be. from Mountain Road to Richardson Road, and the final section from Richardson Road to Brown Street. < • '■">

It was - decided to refer the whole question to the boao-d in- committee,-the manager to submit a report on a.change from six to five sections and to invite a .deputation of residents and representatives of the Mount Albert Borough Council to meet the board.