HUTT TRAM SERVICE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 449, 6 March 1909, Page 7

HUTT TRAM SERVICE.

THE BOARD FACES THE MUSIC. WHAT TO ORDER AND HOW TO PAY. An ordinary meeting of tho Hutt and V<Aono Tramway Board was held last ovoning, and attended by Messrs. J. T. Hawtliorno (in tho chair), K. Stovens, H. Baldwin, H. Findlay, K. J. Soulhgatc, J. Austin, iind tho Bocrctary (Mr. D. Jones). Mr. M'Ewan was absent owing to a mooting of tho Fliianeo Coinmitteo of tho Pctono Borough Council. A reply from tho Valuer-General stated that tho rateable valtio of that part of tho tramway district outside tho boroughs of l'otono and Lower Hutt was as follows:— Capital, £191,078; unimproved, £147,067; improvements,. £44,011. ' The. portion in Epuni Biding was undergoing revision, but tho values would not ho availablo till aft»r March 31. Tho board appointed Mr. Rix-Trott and Mr, W. 11. Ccoko as honorary consulting engineers to tho board. A draft of a lettor proposed to ho issued by the chairman (Mr. M'Ewan) inviting landowners to contribute towards the- cost of tho tramway service was read. Mr.'.Fimllay suggested that the. contributions should ho refunded out of tho first profits of tho tramways. Mr. Hawthorne: That is a good idea. ;.lr. Austin: I don't agree to that. Wβ are not asking for a loan, but for a contribution. Mr. Findlay: Is it fair to ask thoso gentlemen to pay thoir money away for all time, and never soo it again? Their contributions should bo not a loan but underwriting our losses. Mr. Baldwin opposed any refund. Mr. Findlay referred to tho proposad roquost for contribution as "robbery," and urged that a refund out of tho first profits should bo promised. Mr. Austin objected to tho term "robbery." Mr. Baldwin: It is quite uncalled for. Tho chairman said no doubt Mr. Findlay, like himself, was fond of strong language at tunes. Mr. Findlay: It depends on tho company I am in. Tho Chairman: Perhaps, however, Mr. Findlay will withdraw the word ho used. It was not clear whether Mr. Findjay withdrew or not, but ho pressed a motion that the requost bo for a gqurauteo against loss to a stated amount. Mr. Stcvons said a Miramar syndicate paid £10,000 toward the Mirainar tramways, and nothing had been heard of any refund there. Thcro wero numbers of syndicates about tho Hutt Valley who wero going to benefit enormously from thoso tramways, and they could well contribute. Finally tho circular, , us drafted, was adopted, and it was resolved that it bo sent, to all persons and syndicates in the Hutt Valley tramway district owning not less than live acres. Mr. Findlay asked if tho chairman know how tho largest landownor in the Hutt Valley felt toward tho scheme Ho understood he waa against it. The chairman said that ho would havo something to say on this point afterwards. Tho oliairman submitted a letter from a Hutt residont concerning the advantages of motor-buses, as shown by the Nelson experience. There a 14-h.p. motor-bus, to seat 14 to 1C persons, capable of running 22 miles an hour on tho flat, could bo landed at £2000. 'i'ho total cost of running was £22 <!§. per week, Mr. Stovens said that it was a common sight to seo motor-buses broken down by the street sides in London. Londoners never had motor-buses whero they could havo tramcars. Tho Chairman: I can see that tho board doesn't think much of motor-buses. Tho chairman raised tho question of tho prospect of tho service paying, and said that lie believed tho ratepayers would not bo alarmed by the prospect of a small rate. Mr. Findlay said that every ono ho spoko to said they would oppose the scheme if it was going to raise their rates': by the fraction'of a farthing.'.■lf, however, tho board would first adopt his plan of a direct route ho would guaranteo it would pay from the start. The Chairman: That would leave out Bellcviio Garde/is, tho Park, and tho Middlo Waiwetu lload, and if you aro going to cut out theso peoplo, you may bo suro they won't pledgo thoir rates for it. Mr. Ityidlay: Their extensions would follow immediately afterwards. Mr. Baldwin suggested that, as it was practically settled that they wero to have trains, they should apply thomsolvos to discussing ways and moans. Could thoy reduco tho ouginoers' estimates of cost? Mr. Austin said that he was strongly opposed to overhead wires, if other methods, or othor forms of power than electricity could servo tho samo purpose. Mr, Findlay remarked thatthoro was no other power now in use, and if thero was a tramway system bettor than that of Wellington lie hacl never heard of it. _ . Tho clerk read a schomo recommended in 1005 to the Potone Borough Council by Mr. Goodwin, an American tramway export. Ho advised at that timo a joint schomo as having overy prospect of being, successful. Mr. Findlay moved that tho Potono Borough Council be asked on what terms they would loaso to tho hoard a section in Cuba Street of I.J to 2 acres for a powor-house. Tho council bought this cheap (about £250), and could afford to let it cheap. It would savo tho board tho cost of land purchase. Tho terms required should bo 20 years or more, with right of renewal. He beliovod few people know tho purpose for which the land was bought. The Chairman: I do. But that should not affect tho rental. It was agreed to write as suggested.