“A HUGE LOSS”

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 53, 27 November 1923, Page 6

“A HUGE LOSS”

ROSENEATH INCLINED TRAMWAY ESTIMATED ANNUAL DEFICIT OF £ll7B EARLY START ON WORK A, deputation consisting of Messrs. F. W. Moore, F. Down, C. M. Turnbull, and D. McLaren, of the Rosencath and Oriental Bay Ratepayers’ Association, waited upon the Tramways Committee of the City Council yesterday afternoon to protest against delay in commencing tin. construction of the inclined tramway at Roseneatli. Mr. Moore said that the residents of R-oseneath were patient and long-suf-fgring, but they simply had to know’ when the council was to make a start with the inclined tramway. He quoted the history’ of the tramw'ay, saying that it was five years and eleven months ago when the council adopted a report for a cable car or lift for Roseneatli. Eight months ago the Mayor had stated that he saw' no reason w'hy the w’ork should be further delayed. The association was being bombarded with questions by residents as to when the tramway was to be built, as the people had been encouraged to expect improved access this year. Tho Mayor said that it was only three years since £lO,OOO was set aside on the loan for improved access to Roseneatli. The council had a great many works in hand, and had experienced very great difficulty in arranging a price for the land with Mr. J. J. McGrath, and ultimately they had to go to a Magistrate over it. They had gone to America for information, and it was that information which had nonplussed them. The tramway, on these figures, was going to mean a huge loss, • there was no doubt about that. -Mr. McLaren: "We don’t agree with that.

“You may when you see these figures!” said Mr. Wright, showing some typewritten sheets. The cost of the tramway was to be £9500. and tba annual charges would amount to £3-500. Wages, including two men at 2s. per hour, and double pay on Saturdays would amount to £lB 4s. per week. It was computed that the total expenses would amount to £2163 per annum. •Estimating the traffic at 300 "up” passengers at l)d., and 200 “down” passengers at Id. every day in the year, the revenue would amount to £983, leaving an annual deficit of £ll/8. “Naturally,’’ said Mr. Wnght, “the tramway department has been staggered at the loss it is expected to bear. Mr. Cable has been into it, and lie cannot see any way to save monev, if the tramway is to be inn two shifts a day, and it- would be ir-inoss’We to do without a night shift. Tho whole matter is coining up to-day for consideration. and I am going to suggest that the loss be divided between the tramways department and Finance Committee. That should bo rat'fied at Thursday’s meeting of five council.” Mr. McLaren: W«v don’t accept the committee’s estimate of the revenue ns conclusive?. The chairman: That doesn't affect the issue. If the revenue is much more so much the better. As soon as it has passed the council, the officers will bo instructed to proceed with tb» 'work. Mr. McLaren: You *aid that before. You also said once that work would not be stopped when it had never been commenced. CouTwilk>r T. Forsyth! Now that you have heard those figures, do you think the council is justified in going on with the work? Mr. McLaren: Certainly! Mr. Down said that Rosencath was a third section from tho city. Other third sections on the city tramways did not pay, and lie did not know why the committee should expect the Rosencath tramwas te pay.

Mr. ..McLaren: Do I take it. then, that after your report to the council on Thursday night is approved you will instruct the officers to definitely proceed with the work?' The chairman: Yes; they may not bo able to do so immediately, as there are lots of other jobs going on, but they will receive instruction to push on as early as they find it convenient to do so.