THE SHORT CUT.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1422, 24 April 1912, Page 5

THE SHORT CUT.

FROM KAROBI TO WELLINGTON

VIEWS OF CANDIDATES TOR CITY MAYORALTY.

In connection with, tho Mayoral «IwJi°n, to take plaoo to-dny, tho Northland Municipal Electors' Association wroto lo each of llio candidates for tho city .Mayoralty, asking for their views on Urn proposal lo shorten tho tramway ronto from tho city to_ Karon. Tho following letters wore received, ill reply, by Mr. •S. Ah)on, secretary of tho cissoointion':—

WILL ENQUIRE THOROUGHLY, "S. Aston, Esq. "Dear sir,—Replying to your letter of tho 20tli instant, 1 desire'to say that, it' elected, I am willing to inquire, thoroughly into tho various proposals for shortening tho tramway ronto to Knrori, anil to ho guided i>y iho evidence submitted as to which ronto would provo most profitable.—Yours, faithfully, (Signed) R. A. Wright." HOIILCOTT STREET TUNNEL. ''Dear sir,—l was glnd to receive your letter of tho 20tli instant, Imd to bo given, an opportunity of expressing my views regarding tho shortening oi' tho tramway route. "When tho present ronto was decided upon, I protested very strongly against to bring tho Karori and Northlands people so far out of their way, but there were influences at work that wore too strong for mo to combat. Apart altogether from this election, I have always advocated a shorter route, but as to whether it should ho ILill Street or Sydney Street. or via. Kelburne, is a point on which X ca.nuot give a. definite answer, till wo get tho engineer's reports. 1 am certain or ono thing, and that is, we must not purchase the Kelburno tramway under tho agreement which was nvado many years ago with tho corporation, as this agreement is very one-sided and a very bad ono for the city, I'urther than that, it would only bd a temporary 6top gap, as in a. very short time it could not-.carry anything l'ike tho traffic, and its construction is of such a nature that its carrying capacity cannot be increased.

"Subject to the above reservation regarding tho Engineer's reports, I am inclined to think that a direct route via Ivelbnmo through a tunnel into Church Street and down Boulcotfe Street would bo the best route.

I am standing for the Mayoralty as a protest against tho delay that- lias taken place in pushing oh several important matters, and I con assuro you that tho question of your tramway scrvico shall receive my very best mid prompt attention. There is no necessity for delay, as it can ho just as well settled now as later on. 1 am thoroughly sincere in my desire to push matters on, and I am suro that councillors would bo equally keen if they lm<l ail energetic man to givo them a lead. "A loan for trannvay development is inevitable, as wo must duplicate the Willis Street lino and carry on tho Constable Street route to Jlaranui, therefore it is opportune to settle the routo to Karori and include that in our loan proposals,

"If necessary, the line, from tho tunnel to the Botanical Gardens should be taken over by the city, and tho Tinakori Road servico carried up to tho tunnel, or, ot any rate, every alternate car should go that distance, so as to eater for the traffic of those residing between tho Botanical Gardens and tho tunnel. The running cost would be a mero bagatelle, so that tho argument that this lino would be so much capital waited does not carry any weight with me.

"I have dono as much any anybody in the council to push on tramw'ay extension into tho suburbs, and was instrumental in getting the special rating removed from oil the suburbs, as I thought that it was only fair that they should l:o pooled,, in view of tho fact that the suburbs traffic helped to feed the city lines. I would advocate the same policy in your district.—Yours faithfuilv, (Signed) A. S. Biss."

AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. "Dear sir,—Re your inquirv ro shorter route to Karori. lam in 'favour of a shorter route to that district, as it will also suit tho people of Northland. We havo not yet received tho Engineer's report, so cannot say whether tho one by Sydney Street or Hill Street will bo recommended. I am decidedly in favour of something being dons as soon as possible, and will help to bring it about.—Yours sincerely (Signed) John Smith."