ISLAND BAY RATEPAYERS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2770, 13 May 1916, Page 8

ISLAND BAY RATEPAYERS

— v • THE TRAM QUESTION BETTER BATHING FACILITIES WANTED. Tho annual meeting of the Island Bay liatepayers' Association was held last evening, Mr. F. X. Willoughby presiding. During the discussion on the motion to adopt tlve annual report, it-was mentioned. that tire financial members 'numbered 10. It was suggested that in order to have a greater membership a personal canvass of the resident-; of the bay should bo made. In answer, to a question, the chairman said that when tile association was ■ first formed, a circular letter had been sent to ,every but the response kadi been poor indeed. Mr. E. Boococlc, speaking on the question of bathing accommodation facilities at the bay, held that things could ba - iviado much better. Ho suggested that tho City Council should be asked to make certain arangements so that people using the bathing sheds could have access to them for a small charge. Mr. A. S. Collins considered that the City Council should erect better bathing accommodation at their own expense, and not chargd for its use. Islnnd Bay was' a safe bathing place, and if tile council vpent more money in giving better bathing fnslities, the public would naturally go: out to the'bay in greater numbers, .and the tramway revenue would ba heavier, and the extra money made In tram fares would adequately repay tha council for the sums expended in making better bathing accommodation. Mr. E. Collie and. the chairman snj. gested that if the City Councillors would visit Isla nd .-Bay any Sunday- they could seo for themselves that the .prospects o{ the district- were greater than, was realised. ' They would also seo that the extra bathing facilities would be beneficial not only to Island Bay "but to the whole ofWellington.. . Tho report ,was adopted.' ' " Tramway Matters. Tramway matters caused; much discn» sion. It was contended that proper wait-ing-sheds should bo provided, especially for women. , Tho question of workers' cars was also discussed, and tho opinion was held that either nioro. cars should bs put -on, or else a speedier service should be supplied. Overcrowding was also touched on, and strong exception was taken to the tramway authorities, in not making reasonable provision for the bonaiicle residents of Islnnd Bay/ It 'was stated that 'on occasions residents liad lieen compelled to tnke_ an Island Bay car from the Bank of New Zealand corner to Lambton Station, so as to be able to procure a seat in the car to theii ■homes in the bay. Mr.. A. S. Collins said that' the only 'Y way to remedy the evil was bv having through car fares, especially in the even- - ings. (Hear, hear.)' ' Councillor Wright Replies. Mt. It. A. Wright, M.P., and a mem. ber of the City Council, wlio was pre- ~ sent by invitation, in reply said that .apparently the association. wanted 'many tilings. They wanted better bathing; accommodation, double trajn lines, waiting; .sheds, and thr6ng.li trains. "Now what do you; want - first?" ha asked. Voices: "All of them." Continuing, . Mr. Wright said that Island Bay had just as much right to.- : have better bathing accommodation as any other place, and as far as ho was concerned lie .would do his best to gst what was wanted. The City Council's whole difficulty was a question of finance., Although the rever.ue was huge, the ex-penditure-was just as heavy. A double tram line was not only necessary, but it would pay. It was one of the most urgent matters. .' Coming to the question of through cars, Mr. Wright said that the request was a . reasonable one, and one that should be grouted.. He mggested that a- letter should be sent to the council on this question, with the object of opening tiio matter up again, and he would do hi 3 bjst to see that the request was granted. It' there was any legitimate request made for any reasonable work-to bs done, ha would do all in his power to have it carried "out. . • A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Wright for his attendance. General Business. On the motion of Mr. Willoughby it was resolved that the annual subscription bo reduced to Is. The chairman .(stated that the objects of the association were not .in the -direction of finance, but to . get the. residents interested in .the vanuus works of the district. -The election of officers resulted as lollowpPresident, Mr. IV N. Willoughbyj vice-presidents, Messrs. A. Odlin, J., Wright, and E. H. Barton; committee, Messrs. W. Kerr, T. Peiuler, C. M. Cox, W H. Potts, G. Bedell, IS. T. Doddrell, K. Boocoek, W. 11. Coy, G. S. Chishoim, and A. S. Collins; hou. secretary. Mr. K • .). Col ley; ium. treasurer, Mr. .J. M IPtosh; honi, auditor, Mr. A. E. Heron.