MARANUI TRAMWAY.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 511, 19 May 1909, Page 6

MARANUI TRAMWAY.

. TjEE NEXT SUBURBAN EXTENSION. " A matter that tho Tramways, and Finance Committee of tlie City Council will have to consider at an . early date is tho raising ot funds—between £4000 and .CsOOo—for tho extension of tho city tramway system from South Kilbirnie. This lino is to givo: transit facilities to tho finest ocean boaoh ui tho vicinity of Wellington. There is a ; defroito agreement bohveen the Wellington City Council and tho trustees of the late Mr. H. D. Crawford with respect to. the construction ■ of: this half-mild of tramway line. A couple of years before ho died Mr.r Crawford entered into an agreement to oonstruct a road from South Kflbirnito tho beach at Lyell Bay, and also gave land for tho purposes of a park'(situated above' high-water, mark about the oontro of the bayj on condition that the city on its part should lay. down a tramway. The arrangement was one of mutual advantage. Tfio pubHo would" got a rapid transit Bcrvice from the city ta a noble stretch of ocean beach, and Mr. Crawford's land, through which the lino win run, must bo considerably enhanced in value. Thi» agreement was made two years ago, and though tho road has been completed Borne little time, the work of laying down tho track has notyet been started,.though the material is in Wellington. It is suggested that in view of the slaokncss in the demand for labour, and with a hard , wintor M «boforo the class of unskilled worker that depends on casual contract work, together with tho fact that, in conformity with tho agreoment, the work must be started by the end of' October,, an olfbrt; might, bo madto push'pn with his extension. Another reason advanced 'why the'work should' be put in hand before October,is that it would bo to tho advantage of tho city to have tho line ready at tho beginning., of summer, so that the fullest advantago can bo secured of tho whole of that season., ..• ' ...., ~ <-.. , Thoro would probably have beoh no reason to urge this matter with tho City Council were it not that, a complication existed in reswei to a strip of land over a portion of which the new road—Onepu Boad—traverses having been made over to the Government for cable nnd telegraph purposes years ago by the Jato Mr • Crawford. Tho Government was ntrito willing to forego its right in rospect to th« !? n(1 j;T er ' w " icn tnfi street runs, but claimed the 66ft. strip to tho,west of tho road. Tho point at issne developed into one of dedication, the Government refusing to' accept dedi.! cation of the road until its claims were settlod The. Government- intimated its willingness to accept a quid quo pro in.land,for that alongside Onepu Road, but though the matter has rested m this position for some months, it is jo nearer solution, and' those who reside 'ai Maranui and thoso who have been induced to take up, land in anticipation of the- tramway oxtension, are asking—"Bow long?"