TRAMWAY BOARD.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14408, 16 July 1912, Page 10

TRAMWAY BOARD.

ORDINARY MEETING

The Tramway Board met yesterday afternoon. Present: —Messrs Geo. T. Booth (chairman), J. A. Flesher, C. MGray, D. Sykes, S. A. Staple, H. Pearce, A. W. Beaven, and Hon. JBarr.

A special meeting was first held, at which special orders were agreed to striking special rates as security for the Dallington, Fendalton, and Papanui extensions' loans.

The Works and Traffic Committee reported that the loans for the Dallington and Fendalton extensions had. not been floated, and it was proposed to raise the rate to 4-_ per cent. Tho Papanui extension loan would ho offered at the same rate. As soon as sleepers came to hand in sufficient quantities to warrant tho roads being opened, the work would bo commenced. Regarding the proposed St. Martin's tramway, it wasrecommended that until the Board was empowered to rate for tho whole deficiency, tho line be not proceeded with. The committee was taking steps to securo this power. To keep more oOppers in circulation, the committee proposed to institute the system adopted m Great Britain, under which change to the value of at least sixpence is given in copper. Tho committeo had advised the Spreydon Borough Council that the Board lvould bo. prepared to share with the Council the cost of raising tho . tramway track between Wright's road and tho Mental Hospital.

Tho Hon. J. Barr pointed out that tho committee's recommendation regarding the' St.' Martin's tramway was rather" hard, and fast. It might tako years*to get an amending Bill through Parliament, and in the meantime it might bo shown that the lino could be operated profitably. . Mr Staples remarked that in the lastmentioned circumstances all that would be necessary would bo to rescind the resolution on the subject.' Ultimately it was decided to omit the words "tho line should hot be proceeded with."

Mr Sykes opposed the conirnittoe-'s recommendation, raising the tramway track on Lincoln road, and rKnntcd out that tho.Spreydon-Borough Council had met the Board generously in several matters. . . Mr Flesher said that if the road was not re-graded tho tram line wdnld resemble ii miniature switchback, 7. "Air Poarre moved, Mr Barr secqrided : —"That tho Spreydon'Borough Council be invited to appoint a deoutation to discuss with*, the Board's Works; Committee the raising of Lincoln road." Mr Gray said that Lincoln road was one of the worst that he know. It had no crown to it, and required .to be made —lock, stock, and barrel. Tho Board should only share tho cost when assured that a substantial road will be made. Mr Sykes said that before tho tramway was laid down, Lincoln road was the bicyclists* delight. * Tho amendment was agreed to, and the report, as amended, was agreed to. It was decided to reply to the Sydenham Burgesses' Association - that tho Board could not seo' its'.way to extend tho Sydenham penny section from Cathedral square to Brougham street. Tho request of tho Mayor of-Wool-ston with regard to tho lighting'of the new post offico clock was referred: to the Works and Traffic Committee. . On the motion ,of.. Mr -Elesher, seconded -by.-Mr Staples, it- was docided, by five votes to threo 1 (tho 'Chairman;' McSsrs Gray and Beaveri'. being the minority): —;'.'That a Fares and Timetable C«*mmiiteq' bo .appointed.'" The committee set im consist*?.* of Messrs Gray. Staples, Sykes, Barr. Beaven, and Flesher, the chairman of the Board being a member ex-ofneio. Accounts amounting t0*'£15,936 os'4d wero passed for payment.