LOSS OF BUSES

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 247, 16 July 1935, Page 5

LOSS OF BUSES

Fear of Khandallah

Residents

NEW VIEWS ON TRANSPORT

Doubts about whether the best steps to preserve the transport services to the Ngaio, Khaudallah and Johnsonville districts were being taken by those who have been acting for the residents were expressed by members of the Khandallah I’rogress Association at its annual meeting last night. A deputation was appointed to discuss tlie subject with the Wellington City Council’s tramways committee. It was pointed out that also, if the Railways Department demanded a monopoly ju return lor electrifying the line, and the bits service ceased, parts of the district would be served worse than at present. The’ president, Mr. M. S. Galloway, moving that the annual report and balance-sheet be adopted, said the association was hopeful that there would be an early announcement of the future of the railway line. The Inclination of the Railways Department, be thought, was to scrap it. The proposed multiple-unit electric system would, he was informed, cost between £lOO,OOO and £120,000. lie believed they would be faced with the issue that the department, if it undertook the work, would want more or less of a monopoly of trafiic in the district. The topography was such that he did not believe there was any place that was not within ten minutes of one of the stations that would be constructed. He paid a tribute to Mr. N. Bell and the bus service he had instituted. Points About Trains. While he appreciated what the association and those associated witli it in the movement, for better transjxtrt had done, he presumed they would be glad to have suggestions, said Mr. J. N. Wallace, At bis own instigation the City Council had considered the question of trams. He was not going to make any plea for trams, but to put the other side. so that they would not close with the railways too quickly. He knew the council bad a plan to shorten t.he distance considerably, compared with the railway line. The times that had 'been announced for the multiple-unit system he thought optimistic, but he hoped they were not. The trains would run to .Khandallah in about eighteen minutes at n four-penny fare. There were alternatives to the running of ears over the Wadestown line. He was not advocating trams in particular, but they wanted the best service, whatever it was. The real advantage of trams was that one could board a tramear anywhere. Systems other than the railway niiglit not insist on a monopoly. He asked whether they were not approaching the subject a little rashly from the unoliielal standpoint. He felt they should have the City Council behind them in their tight, with the railways. The council was better able to deal with the railways than two unofficial bodies. The Johnsonville Town Board was an official body,. The council could protect, their interests best. Mr. Galloway said they were keeping .in close touch with the council. Effect on Eastern Side. ' Mr. H. Desborough asked what good a •service along the railway line would be to the eastern side of the district if it lost the bus service. He thought the residents of Ngaio and Khandallah should hold a meeting and decide the question. The district had had a lot of trouble, and now was on a good wicket. From Jubilee Road to the station was 15 minutes, and on. a wet day seemed.3o. Commenting on a member's remark. Mr. Wallace said there was no que.stion of the rails being torn. up. The line had' been. offered to the council. The question was one of method of operation. The department would probably announce that it would electrify the line. The president eaid that immediately an announcement was made a meeting of residents would be called. The council had said definitely that it did not want the line. > Mr. Wallace moved that a deputation consisting of the president, himself and another, representing the association, wait upon the City Council’s tramway committee to lay before it the question of transportation to Khandallah when the Tawa Flat deviation was opened for pass'enger traffic. “I have the feeling that the council thinks that we are oo dashed big we can paddle our own canoe,” he said. The tramways committee knew most about. transport.

The president said the motion would place him in a difficult position. The subject had been delegated to the central committee and it was in touch with the council. They -were not babes in swaddling clothes, but were alert. He would not be.able to act on the deputation.

Several members said the chairman would not be breaking faith with the other organisation because he would be representing the association, and finally Mr. Galloway consented. Mr. ’Wallace’s motion was carried aud Mr. Desborough was appointed to the deputation.