NEW BRIGHTON TRAMWAY.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7421, 21 September 1889, Page 6

NEW BRIGHTON TRAMWAY.

»O THB 3DITOR OF THE PKEBS. Sm—l quite agree with "Ratepayer" in his letter which appeared in your issue of this morning, wherein he calls attention to the facts connected with the New Brighton tramway, and requires that a public meeting should be called to con--Bi4et the subject, and thafi this ought to be done with the least possible delay. I think, Sir, it ie monstrous to suppose that the ratepayers are going to suffer such a heavy pecuniary loss to fche city as tols without having something to say on the question. With reference to the twotejodere which "Ratepayer has alluded to, I think It is only right that the public should be made conversant with the true factsof the case, which I am given to understand are as follows : - Alter calling, for tenders, the New Brfabton Tramway Company put twoteftders in, the h ghest oue being for £000 oe* annum, with a rise of xoO per year, bringing their rental up to £700 for the lest year. On the envelope of this tender were the words, "Do not open thi* one unless you have a higher tender." A reaident of New Brighton tendered outright £400 per year. The New Brighton Tramwaf Company's Qther tender was straight for £360 per annum, which the Council have now agreed to accept. The above were the only tenders sent. Now, forsooth, because the Company has found itself hoisted on its own petard, the ratepayers of Christchurch are fco be the sufferers. Surely, therefore. Sir, it is high time that the ratepayers should be made fully cognisant of all the facts of the case, and tha best way of obtaining such facts would be at a public meeting. A full explanation is necessary, and those gentlemen of the Council who were so kind and so obliging to the New Brighton Tramway i Company have no longer any reason to hide their light under a bushel, bat will if a pablic meeting, is called have an excelIfent opportunity of explaining a their Masons for acting4n such au extraordinary manner, with. a Aiew of diminishing, the r.4v«nue Qt theci».—Yoursi&c.,. , Jlnothjbb Ratepayer.