SUNDAY TRAMS.

Evening Post, Volume LXIX, Issue 49, 28 February 1905, Page 2

SUNDAY TRAMS.

PROPOSED PLEBISCITE ON WHOLE ISSUE. Sunday trams came in for somo cominont at tho meeting of the Council of Churches last evening. Tho Secretary (Mr. N. Turner) briefly reported to tlie meeting of a deputation of tho Council to tho City Council, for tho purpose of urging tho City Council to suspend the running of the trams during tho hours of Sunday evening sorvico in the churches. The Secretary hoped thivt, from tho temper evidenced, somo good would remit. The Council's roply wn« being held back till tho return of the Electrical Engineer, when it was hoped that a good reply would be received. In tho course of a briof discussion, Mr. W. T. Glasgow expressed tho opinion Unit tho nuisances could bo a good deal mitigated by tho trams slowing down. Tho noiso was really in ratio to speed, lie hoped tho trnmcars would bo btopped during tho hours mentioned, but if not, tlioro was the alternative of lessening the evil. Tho President (Rev. Dr. Oibb) expressed concurrence. Another speaker thought that to suggest an altornntivo' boforo rccoiving the City Council's reply, wns to weaken tho cane put beforo the City Council for cessation of running during Sunday evening servico houis. Tho Rev. n. L. Blamiros, far from weakening with reaped to present demands, had a proposal for total cessation of traffic on Sunday, subject to a referendum. This matter was referred to in a communication from tho Wellington Christian Endeavour Union, which, in the interests of Snbbath observance, urged on the Council of Churches that steps should bo taken to scoure a plebiscite on the Hubject of Sunday trains. Tho Rev. Mr. Ulnmiros moved : " That tho Council respoctfully claims that the running v>f tho Corporation's trnms on Sundays is subvorsivo of tho highest interests of the community and a source 6f nnnoynnco to a largo proportion of tho citizens^ nnd respect fully urges unon tho Council the dcsirubility of a plebiscite being taken on the question in connection with tho forthcoming municipal elections." The mover said tho Council had claimed cessation of tram-running during tho hours of Sunday owning, torvicn tui a right This piescnt proposal wa« put forwnrd as a request. Tho arguments advanced for trainrunning on Sunday woro to givo the pcoplo freah nir, and to tnko thorn to nnd from church. As to fresh air, in our usual weather conditions, that could bo got in fivo minutes' walk from any homo in Wellington, without rccourso to tramenrs ; and he did not think tho City Council would consider the running of tmmcars on Sunduy solely to take people to church. Sunday work was a hardship on tramway workers. If the City Council ran ita trams on Sunday to mako money, why should not shopkeepers also open on Sunday to mako money? They also could mako out a cose that it was for the convenience of tho publio, as they would bo largely patronised. Tho President was doubtful if the motion was in order, ns lie thought notico was requited, but he would not like to uilc n gainst it. The question of time was raised. It whs pointed out that there 's not a great deal of time left for giving effect to the proposal. Tho municipal elections arc in April. Tho President took a vote of tho meeting as to whether thoso present were in favoui of going on with tho motion at onco. Tho Noes were in tho majority. 'I'll i<! means that tlic mover will have to givo notice, and the motion may be moved at next meeting.