SUBURBAN TRAMWAYS.

Evening Post, Volume LXX, Issue 15, 18 July 1905, Page 6

SUBURBAN TRAMWAYS.

• TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — So far two tenders have been accepted in connection with the suburban tramways. One is 20 per cent., the other 25 per cent., below the much-vaunted and much-inflated new estimates. No wonder the Council, with such results before it, last night affirmed the principle of going on with the work at Brooklyn (said to, have been so greatly underestimated by Mr. Wright), without a weak-kneed appeal to the ratepayers on palpably inflated figures, and despite Mayor Hislop's endeavours to hang the matter up further in committee. The alleged £6500 shortage on Brooklyn has already been reduced on these two contracts. That on Kilbirnie will also most certainly disappear. But the whole work must be carried on by contract. Ratepayers will thus save thousands of ponnds sterling, while the workers' interests can be effectively conserved bj a clause stipulating current wages and hours of labour. — I am, etc., RATEPAYER. 14th July, 1905. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — The gratifying information has appeared in your journal that a beginning will be made in about a month's time of the work of extending tho tramline to Island Bay. Better late than never; but why such tardy procedure? It seems quite clear that there has been an absence of honest endeavour on the part of the Council to carry out its obligations to Melrose, otherwise materials and plant necessary for our section of tramway would have been available long ago. There is much reason to fear that the revenue on the Brooklyn and Kilbirnie sections will fall a long way short of the sum required for working expenses and interest on capital cost, and at this stage the Island Bay ratepayers would do well to obtain an absolute guarantee from the Council that whatever rate it may be necessary to levy to meet that deficiency, such ' rate shall apply to the whole of Greater Wellington, or, as an alternative, be a charge on the three districts of Melrose — 'i.e., Brooklyn, Island Bay, aud Kilbirnie— but each district to be rated only in proportion to the deficiency that may from time to time occur in respect of its own tramway. — I am, etc., ISLAND BAY. 14th July, 1905. There was a large attendance at Messrs. Harcourt and Co.'s auction rooms this afternoon, when they offered a building allotment in the Middle Waiweturoad, Talne Estate, Lower Hutt, having a frontage of 92ft sin by a depth of 454 ft, and containing in area 3 roods 34.1 perches. The bidding was spirited, tho purchasers ultimately being Messrs. W. Jennings and S. S. Williams at £395. Tho Wellington Debating Societies Union opened its tournament last night, when representatives of St. Peter's Club I and the Catholic Young Men's Club de- ' bated the question whether the operations j of commercial trusts are conducive to the I general welfare of mankind. The representatives of the Catholic Society (Messrs. P. J. Moron, A. H. Casey, and F. M'Donald) argued that the tendency of truats was to benefit the bulk of the people, and that with proper safeguards there need be no fear of the system. Messrs. G. T. Hall, Low, and Hunt, maintained that experience had shown that trusts were opposed to the best interests of the community. Mr. J. W. Black, who acted as judge, awarded St. Peter's Club 253 1 points and the Catholic Ybung Men's I Club 229 points. Tho first round of » the ' tournament is to be continued on Thursday, when a debate will be held between the St. John's Club and the Single Tax League in St. John's classroom. The Matron of the Hospital acknowledges with thanks the following : — Flowers, St. James's Church ; maga&ines and books, Mrs J. Smith, and Mrs. Hatchard; clothing; Miss Greenwood, Miss Paget, Mrs. Miles; old linen, Mrs. Batkin. For Victoria Hospital : — Screens, Mitts Coates; pictures, Mrs. Stafford and Father Ainsworth ; bed-rugs, Mrs. Cohen ; clothing, Mrs. Miles, Mrs, Stafford; a hnre, Mrs. Johnston. Court Lodge Glasgow will hold a tie and apron social gathering to-morrow night at the Foresters' Hall", Tory-street. Mossrs. Eiohardson B ros -> house furnishers, oto., have an announcement in this issuo which should bo of intorost to thoso furnishing. Mossrs. Sidoy, Moeoh, and Co. advertise particulars of solo of household furniluro and effects, which thoy will hold on tho .premises, 90a, Tory-strot, commencing at 1.30 sharp, Thursday, 20th July.