TRAMWAY MATTERS.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9606, 22 December 1896, Page 5

TRAMWAY MATTERS.

CONFERENCE OF LOCAL BODIES. A Conference of representatives from local hodies was held at the City Council Chambers last nis.it, to consider the following motion by the Special Committee of the City Council:—"That a coufereuce of all local bodies granting concessions to the Tramway Company be convened, tc confer with the Committee on the question of all concessions to the Company for a new concession terminating on an even date." Present—Hia Worship the Mayor and Crs. Andrews, Samuels, Sorenson, Applebv, Prudhoe, Smith, Gray and Wood (City); Mr F. Waymouth (Mayor) and Cr. Neate (St. Albans); Crs. Mufl'ott and Hadfield (Sydenham) ; Mr Marshall (Mayer) and Cr. Brunt (Linwood); Mr .7. M. "Douglass (Mayor, Woolston); Mr Deacon (Mayor) and Crs. Graham and Pratt (Sumner); Messrs Hall and Jackson (Riccarton) ; Dunlop and Horner (Avon); 0. Archer (City Surveyor); and R. Al. Macdonald, Managing Director Christchurch Tramway Company. Tho Mayou stated the object for which the Conference had been called. Cr. Smith explained the opinions expressed by several of the Councillors in the Council, and pointed out that difficulties arose through the difference of tho terms in the deeds of concession, and their termination at different times. The position was that, in view of the City Council or a future Company wishing to take over tho lines, matters would bo facilitated by all the deeds of concession terminating at the same period. Before this meeting waa called, the Company was approached to see if they would be agreeablo to this, and Mr Macdonald, on behalf of himself and his Company, said ho would be pleased to moot tho local bodies and would fall in with the proposal to terminate the concessions at one time. Mr Hall suggested that Mr Macdonald should be asked to make a statement. The Mayor pointed out that the meeting was called for one purpose only. In answer to Mr Douglass, he said the Company would bo willing to take a twenty-one years' leas* from the present date, if the suggestion were agreed to. Mr Deacon approved of the concessions being terminated at one time, aud asked how and when it would be decided on what bases the new concessions would be made. He moved—-"That this meoting resolves that it is advisable thab all concessions to the Tramway Company by local bodies should terminate at the same time." Mr Brunt seconded the motion. Mr Hadfield considered that local bodies and not representatives should voto on suoh an important question. Mr Ayers said that he presumed when the motion was carried it would be reported to the local bodies, who would instruct their delegates how to vote at a future meeting on the conditions of the concessions. Mr Douglass was of Mr Hall's opinion, < that Mr Macdonald should be asked to say what the project was. Unless this were done the meeting would bo futile. The Mayor eaid that should tho mption be carried, then it would be for the different ~ local bodies eaoh to interview the Tramway Company. Mr Deacon said he intended to move, if in order, that a Tramway Board, composed - of representatives, should be appointed to confer with the Tramway Company, bo that concessions should be all aliko. Mr Maooonald eaid that broadly the Company asked for now concessions, for twenty-one years from. the present, and there was another offer of a further twentyone years. The object of asking for the twenty-one years' lease was that there . would be room for the expenditure of considerable capital, which could not be done under the three years of. the unexjtired contract. It was proposed under tho longer term to relay the fine from Papanui to the Ferry bridge with up-to-date Bteel rails, and to use the best haulage power obtainable under the circumstances. The question was spoken to by Meesra Douglass, Marshall, Appleby, Gray. Hall, Waymouth, Prudhoe and Dunlop. The motion was carried unanimously. . Mr Deacon suggested that it would be better that an effort should be made to have the terms of the deeds alike, or as near. as possible. Mr Smith suggested that a future conference should be held, at which delegates could come prepared to vote as to the date of the termination of the deeds. The Mayor ruled that no other business could be taken.' . Mr Deacon gave notice to move at the next conference:—" That a Tramway Board be appointed, consisting of two represen- . , tatives of each local body through whose territory the tram passes, who shall have power to control the concessions to be given, and the general carrying out of Buch • concessions ; ana that an Act of the General Assembly be passed accordingly." (The meeting then closed.