ROOM FOR TRAMS.

Press, Volume XLIV, Issue 19400, 28 August 1928, Page 7

ROOM FOR TRAMS.

SUMNER LOCAL BILL. DEPUTATION TO BOROUGH COUNCIL. For the purpose of coming to some agreement in arranging a clearance between the tram rails on the causeway and the Borough Council's boundary, a deputation consisting of the chairman of the Tramway Bpard (Mr J. Wood) and the general manager (Mr Frank Thompson) waited on the Sumner Borough Council last evening. The deputation was the outcome of a discussion at the last meeting of the Tramway Board, when the question was fully discussed after a deputation from the Sumner Borough Council hart waited on the Board. Mr Wood said that possibly tho Board misunderstood Crs. Ager and Newburgh, thinking they could pledge .tfto Council. All tho Board was annou* about was that it should got some littlo protection as far as the track was concerned. They wanted some definite assurance that the Council would keep a certain distance from the track, rne L,aud Vesting Bill before the House aU lowed for only one foot clearance, but that was too close. Cr. W. Henley; Would three feet be sufficient P , ._, "It would be better san one." said Mr Wood. "The suggestion was six, but we don't ask for that. Even four would help. It is just for tho safety of the public that we ask it." Reference was made to the power tho Board had to make a cal) for the special rate for the construction loan, but Mr Wood said that the Board had no intention of collecting that rate. "We don't care whether you have baths there or a road," he went on, "so long as there is a clearance." Mr Thompson said that in any event the public were protected by a tramway Orderrin-Oouncil which laid down that there must be a clearance of two feet six inches. "It is only a reasonable request, and one we should agree to," said Cr. HW. Harris. The deputation withdrew, and some discussion followed. "I'm quite prepared to move that a clearance of six feet from the rail be granted and the Bill amended," said Or. Newburgh. Cr. Ager: You can't upset resolutions in this manner. not rescinding the previous resolution," said the Mayor "It's just a modification." Before putting the motion to the meeting, the Mayor said that he had always been opposed to the Bill, because it was putting a definite liability on the ratepayers which the borough had no need to bear. The motion was carried, the Mayor voting against it.