Tramway Expansion

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 71, 17 December 1935, Page 11

Tramway Expansion

Sir, —Your leader on “Suburban Transport” states that the City Council tramway committee endorsed the opinion of the general manager that the project is impracticable on the score of cost and likely operating loss. This is the flimsiest explanation that an engineer could offer. To way that a tramway service is impracticable on the score of expense is just an empty phrase, because to do anything will cost money. The second part of the engineer's reasoning hangs on the qualifying word “likely.” What a word for any body of men to hide their want of moral courage behind! It is obvious that the engineer and the council don’t want to stir themselves, and this was obvious, because the engineer did not, from any published account, propose any alternative scheme. The new .buses which the Alayor promised at tlie election are under construction. The City Council and the officials have not realised the important fact that the monopoly of transport as given to them by the Government carries with it a definite obligation, and the officials dare not abuse this sacred trust committed to them. If they are not prepared to carryout the obligations involved, then it is the duty of the .State to take over the monopoly and stop all this tinkering. Tlie city has spent money in acquiring the Land, and should get on with the construction of the new arterial road. It will do for cither trams or buses, so why not build the road? ’The city engineer’s department is there to do such work. The same applies to the western access tunnel scheme to Glenmore Street. Why should we citizens be called upon to pay ’some £150,000 to build the Rongotai Aerodrome when we have transport problems of our own? —I a in, etc., L. G. AUSTIN. AVellington, December 16.