MOTOR 'BUS SERVICE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2114, 3 April 1914, Page 8

MOTOR 'BUS SERVICE.

FOR THE CITY. THREE BUSES TO BE ORDERED.

Last evening tho Power Stations and Tramways Committeo made the following important recommendation to tho City Council: "That the tender of Messrs. Richardson, M'Cabe and Co., for .tho supply of three Tilling Stevens petrol electric motor-buses should be accepted, as recommended by the Tramways Board of Management." Councillor Fletcher stated that the committee have discussed tho question of feeders for tho trams, but he did not think that three buses would be of much use. Ho thought that tho council would bo justified in ordering more. : Tho suburbs wero calling out for extraand he also thought that the buses might be put on the observation routes. There wore many districts, jn fact, where they could be employed. Hemoved that five should be ordered in place of three. Councillor Hindmarsh remarked that he would like expert evidence bearing on tho proposal. Councillor Frost seconded Councillor ; Fletcher's amendment to increase the number of motor-buses. He stated that ■ Vogeltown and Roseneath and other dis-; triets desired some means cif convey- ■ anco to their homes. It Was only a matter of about £2300 additional that was involved, and ho thought that they would be fully justified in ordering five buses. A report by the Tramway Board on . tho subject was read. It advised tha adoption of tho Tilling Stevens buses. Tho board, however, were of opinion that only two buses were now necessary to meet tho requirements. Councillor Buddie thought tho number should stand at threo. The roads wero not in order for running five buses. There was also tho possibility that the typo of tho buses might in time bo altered. Councillor M'Kenzie said that he would like to know why tho committee recommended the purchase of'threa buses, against tho advice of two by tho Tramway Board. Ho went on io say that ho thought that other types should also be tried, for perhaps it would bts wise not to put. all their eggs in. one basket. TJieroi. wero such matters of petrol, lubrication, etc., to bo considered, and it would bo wiso to do a little experimenting before they tied themselves down to the one typo. The Mayor: The previous report of the board advised three buses. Councillor Luekio thought they would have to consider the cost of the upkeep of tho roads over which tho buses were going to travel. He believed that the extra cost of upkeep was sufficient to restrict any experimental scheme. Councillor Fitzgerald: Wo have befift experimenting too much with motor vehicles. ■ I think that the tim& has arrived when the council, should stan* dardise their cars. Tho construction: of motor buses has got beyond tho experimental stage. In reply to Councillor Luekie, Councillor Fitzgerald said -that they, had to remember that this was a motor ago—* a commercial motor age—and tho coun-

cil had to grapple with tho question of suitable roads, whether they went in lor such a scheme or not. Councillor Fuller suit! that it was with rcluctance that he had decided not te voto for tho increased number 0f buses, At the same time he did not like going against the advice of. tho officers of the council. • He would like to ask what fund the rfioney was to coffio out of. Tho Mayor said tho, origißai recommendation of the Tramways Board was for three buses, but thcy;l)id ; edittS down to two. 'He thought, however, the cani*mittee was right, in recommending three, That would enable one to .be laid aside if tho need arose. Regarding - Vogeitown, he thought that this part of. the city was the most neglected, ami bad the first claims oil a motor bus,, if tho roads were ready. He hoped that Councillor Fletcher would not prfess Ms amendment for five buses. They-wanted to bo sure of the standard of car before, going in for too many, With referencu to funds for the buses, ho said that at tho next meeting the wliolo question of' tramway and other finance would have to be considered. Councillor Fletcher said that, he would consent to withdraw his amendment, iu favour, of fivo buses, but hoped- that the matter of ordering more curs would be kept in view. Councillor Frost, the seconder « the amendment,' agreed to the tfithdfawaJ, and th'o recommendation for thd acquisition of three buses was adopted'.