TRAMWAY POLL CARRIED

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26265, 9 November 1950, Page 6

TRAMWAY POLL CARRIED

£950,000 Loan To Be Raised

MODERNISATION OF SERVICES By a majqrity of .two to one, the Christchurch Traffiway Board was yesterday given authority to apply for a loan of £950.000 to modernise the city’s transport service. The poll on the proposal was a light one, only about 20 per cent/ of those eligible casting their votes. In a previous poll, about a third of the electors voted. Details of the voting were: — For the proposal .. .. 5205 Against the proposal .. 2633 Informal .. .. 265 Total votes cast .. .. 8103 The total roll number was about 40,000. "It is quite evident that the people were in favour of the loan, and it shows that they realised the need for modernisation,” said the chairman of the board (Mr J. E. Jones) after the votes had been counted. ‘‘My only regret is that there was not a larger poll; but the expression is definite, and that is all that is required for the progress of the city.” The money is to be used to convert main tramway routes to trolley-bus operation, to convert the remaining tramway routes to omnibus operation, and to lift tramway tracks and restore the road surfaces as the trams are abandoned. * Of the £950,000, £682,992 is to be I used to convert the main tramway routes—£63o,34l for trolley-buses and | electrical equipment, and £52,651 for] rogd restoration. This amount includes new trolley-buses for the North Beach route. The cost of converting the other routes has been put at £265.4311 —omnibuses £214,929. and road restoration £50.502. The sum of £1577 has i been put aside to care for contin-J gencies. , n • The loan is to be spread oyer 18 years. The money is to be raised in | instalments, according to the pail of th«u.system being converted. Majority at Most Booths In the majority of the 126 polling booths, the proposal was carried by a substantial number of votes. At booths in Sumner and New Brighton, where t trolley-buses have been promised, the | proposal was carried by majorities of six and seven to one. It was also supported in other outlying areas. Residents served by the Fendalton-Opawa buses voted for the proposal, and it was supported in Cashmere. Voting was closer in parts % bf* Sydenham. St. Albans, Papanui, Riccarton, and Spreydon. Only three booths voted against the proposal. At Antigua street the voting was 24 for tne proposal and 29 against; at Lyttelton street it was 22 Lfor and 27 against; and at Clarence i road, 38 for and 39 against. Bromley , was not decisive, with four voting for the proposal and three against. Returning officers at the booths had an easy day. Some officers found that there was some confusion between the poll and the local body elections next week, and one officer was asked for a ballot paper "for voting for the Mayor.”