CHRISTCHURCH TRAMWAYS.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12505, 18 May 1906, Page 5

CHRISTCHURCH TRAMWAYS.

MEETING OP THE BOARD.

The Christchurch Tramway Board met yesterday afternoon, Mr W. Reeoe (chairman) presiding. ' The other members present were: Mesa* O. 4*. Gray, M.H.R., F. Weymouth, A. W. Beavan, C. H. Winny, J. J. Dougall, Geo. U. Stead, G. Soott, and H. Pearoe. .". . THE CASHEL STREET LINE.• Mr H Pearce moved :_"That the Crty and Suburban line be taken by way oF Cashel street." He said that at the time the Board was constituted it was under- . stood that its function was to etectarify existing lines. In point of population tho district served by the Cashel street line had exceptional claims, and the tact that they had been served by * *»m service for many years should be taken into consideration, and he thought money spent in electrifying this l"te would be money well spent. Mr Scott seconded the motion, and said that the residents of Cashel street | had no idea that tho Board was going to remove the Cashel street line, and he questioned vory much whether the Board had any legal power to do so. The Board had power to make lines and to tako them over, but not to remove them. Ho thought that the Oaahel street line should riot only be continued, but that it should terminate at tho clock tower in Manchester street; so as not to add to the congestion of traffic in tho Square. Mr Winny said be was going *°. BU P: port tho motion. He alto questioned the right of the Board to discontinue ! this line, and thought it would be grossly unfair to do so. He knew for a fact tliat there wore large numbers of regular travellers on tho Cashel street lino, and they should not be compelled to go by the Worcester street .or the Ferry | rond lino. Mr Dougall said ho had heard nothing Ito justify tho Board departing from I the policy it had laid down. About, 12' months' ago he submitted a proposition in favour of taking the New Brighton line via Cashel street, but the Board decided on Worcester street, and he thought it would be a mistake to have two lines' running oast wßitm 100 or 200 yards of each other. Mr Stead thought members would like an expression of opinion from the chairman. The Chairman said there could be no,. doubt that Cashel street was the proper and most direct route to New Brighton, but there was a great out- ' cry from residents in Worcester street and Stanmore road. With .a view, however, of relieving tho traffio in tho Square, he thought «t might be desirable to connect tho two lines via Manchester street. But they must bear in mind tho question of means. He admitted it would be hardship to remove

a line that had been in use for some years, but the Board had gone fully into tho matter, and it would be difficult to alter what had already been do- - cided upon. Mr Pearoe in reply contended that the Board h&d never definitely decided to knock out the Cashel street line. It had simply decided to go to New Brighton via Worcester street. As to the question of expense, he thought that seeing the Board had expended money, perhaps where it should not have spent it, surely it could not. refuse a lino to the residents in this. particular part of the district. The motion- was lost, -hose voting for it being Messrs Pearoe, Wkury -and Scott. THE SERVICE TO OPAWA. Mr H. A. Bruce wrote on behalf of a deputation which waited on the Board at a previous meeting) representing some 000 residents of Opawa,, expressing satisfaction that the route proEosed via Wilson mad. Steven street, ancaster street, etc., had been rejected by tlio Board. The deputation, he said, was still of opinion that there was only one direct route to Opawa, and that was via. Falsgrave street. Mr Scott said lie believed members cf the Board had not fairy oa__adered the injustice done by rescinding the resolution that had been come to on this matter after very careful consideration. Ho would, therefore, more that the Board comply with the request of the deputation. There was no doubt that Falsgrave street or Wilson's mid was the direct route to this district. ' Next' to Christchurch the Heathoote d_etriot was the largest, and up to the Present time no extension., in this district had been authorised. All that they asked for was an expenditure of a comparatively small sum to connect them with the Opawa line. Hie Falsgrave street route was the most direct to the city, and it would be a shameful waste of £5000 if a line was constructed down Wordsworth street, without a connection by Falsgrave street. The Board should. ak*> endeavour to keep the steam trams out of Colombo 'street.. Although he did not intend to staiki again for,the Board, he would fight for the rights of the district, and unless it got justice he would get up a petition to the Government for an enquiry into tho whole matter. Out of the new loan £10,000 had been spent in the NorthEast of Christchurch, and this connection he asked for would only cost £1210. Mr Pearoe seconded the motion. Mr Winny also supported- the proposition. V • Mr Beaven could not see that Opawa was entitled to a second route. Ho thought 'that the steam traffic should be sent by Manchester street, Soutii belt and Falsgrave street to Opawa. and that the line from C9mstaha.cn via | Colombo street should be electrified, which would give a double service to Sydenham and make it possible to keep I the steam trams out of Colombo street. | Mr Gray thought that tho objections Ito the Falsgrave street line were fatal Ito it, and the Opawa residents wero 1 served fairly well by the railway. Mem--1 bore of the Board who knew bow 1 straitened its finances were should not | urge additional expenditure of this kind. I- Mr Stead said he sympathised wit]. IMr Scott, but thought that the Board i would put itself into a difficult pos_..on by passing the motion, for it had not" tho money to give effect to it. The i Board's desiro was to do the beat for all concerned, and if they could meet i the Opawa people by modifying the j route he would be pleased to help in that direction. '. - j Mr Beaven' said that to electrify 1 Wordsworth street would add to the expense, but it might be recouped by \ simplifying the traffic. ■ _' % I Mr . Scott, in reply, said that the Board had spent money which it had no right to spend. The Lancaster Park loop was a case in point, and they should consider the residents who were responsible for any deficiency that might occur through the working of the system. * . '■■•'_■ '. ' . The motion was lost, its only gup- ! porters being Messrs Scott, Pearoe, and Winny. '■.'•' '.* WORKS AND TRAFFIC COMMITTEE. The Works and Traffic Conanittee reported as follows:— ' , Your committee considers that a foreman should be placed in charge of toe permanent way repairs, and w»cp_omends Mr Thosu Russell, at present £>nIstruction inspector, for the position. Your committee has given further consideration to matters rek-taag to toe position of motor inspector. It conjsidered the report of departmental managers to the effect tt»t Inspector Basset* was not found to be possessed lof as much electrical expert knowledge as the position demanded. Tbo depiK