NORTH BEACH BUS ROUTE

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21715, 24 February 1936, Page 9

NORTH BEACH BUS ROUTE

TO TBS BCJTOI Of TH* PBISI. Sir,—There is such a lot of talk about North Brighton, one would wonder where this place was, so near to New Brighton. If both places were PUt together, they would make some *Wt of a seaside resort, but as thev are rrweii it is like a good man splitting niS energies. On the face of it, I should Jttlnk that North Brighton should never fta ve existed as a town. Did the pioneers of this place think j*»t all tho villages and towns between the, sea and the be swarming with people in about five, W. or 15 years? Did they not see that Were were already two good roads to «6W Brighton, and that there would ; »*v& to be a third made through a swamp? Or did they think the people wQuld make them a road, and also It » trams there? This they did, aye,

and at a loss, for 40 years. I know of several men who lost large sums of money prospecting in both places — waiting for the people. The tramway employees have had too many joy rides over this road with no one in the trams. Who has to pay? Not the tramway men, but the people, as usual. It is not the tramways' money. There js too much sponging on the people.— Yours, etc., FRANK MITTON. February 21, 1936.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE I'BESS. Sir,—ln your issue of February 19 appeared an article on the above subject which bears strong evidence of having been inspired by a few disgruntled residents of Peach road and its vicinity. Amongst the statements made in that article are the following:—(1) Property values have been materially affected; (2) the petition for retaining the petrol bus service was circulated for two days; (3) the petition >was circulated during the day, when most of the male popalation was at work; (4) eight persons wrote to Mr Sullivan stating that they were prepared to leave North Beach because of the Tramway Board's decision; (5) the petrol bus was the more comfortable; ' (6) that the Wamoni route is shorter and that from six to 10 minutes are saved on each trip. There is an old Latin tag which, translated, runs thus: "From one example judge the whole." ,' . , , Six to 10 minutes on each trip! I have the two time-tables before me now and I find the following:—

Wajnoni route leaves North Beach at 7.15, arrive at square 7.43. Trolley bus leaves 7.5, arrives at square 7 35 ' Petrol bus leaves at 8.25, arrives at square 8.55. . . Trolley bus leaves at 8.10, arrives «t square 8.45. . . Petrol bus leaves at 9.10, arrives at square 9.40. Trolley bus leaves at 3.55, arrives at square 9.25. Petrol bus leaves at 10, arrives at square 10.30. Trolley bus leaves at 10.10, arrives at square 10.40.

I cannot find six or 10 minutes' saving here, to me the time-tables read there is no saving of time. From the time of the withdrawal ot the service, February 10, to the date when the article appeared nine days had elapsed, and it is claimed that the property values had been affected! As a matter of fact the properties depreciated years ago as a result ol aggressive opposition of a few persons who strenuously helped to introduce a private opposition line, and it is largely the same people who are now endeavouring to deprive the North Beach of by far the better service. The petition circulated for two days! and all the sponsors could get to Sign were 267 persons out of all tna population of central Brighton and the North Beach. Tru'y a wonderful representation of the mind of the Whole community. As a matter of fact I myself know of many places where no call was made. The seats of the petrol bus can accommodate only about 20 passengers, while the trolleybus can seat'4o and can carry 50 or more Tha trolley-bus, served by iar the larger area, is more roomy and comfortable, is easier travelling, and is quite as speedy as the other, which should never have been licensed beyond the end of Racecourse road.— Yours, etc., N ADAMS February 21, 1936.