THE TRAMWAYS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 137, 11 June 1909, Page 3

THE TRAMWAYS.

» SUGGESTED LARGE SAVINGS. A CONFIDENTIAL REPORT. The Tramways Committee of the City Council reported last evening that it had received a confidential report from the electrical engineer, intimating that a very considerable saving would result in the adoption of his recommendations regarding the tramway service. It recommended the council to give effect to the engineer's recommendations. Councillor Shirtcliffe explained that a very voluminous correspondence had been gone through and considered by tho committee. While the committee was sorry to have to report as it did, it had to do its duty. He wished to say, further, that some letters had been sent to the committee by a certain person, which were of a such a character as to tell against him. Councillor Fiizgerald held it to be absolutely essential that all councillors should have tho confidential report before theni. Councillor Fletcher supported. He hoped the report would be referred back. He had other recommendations to make to the committee which would be advantageous It was proposed that the recoiumendation be referred back, to the end that all councillors would have time to consider the confidential report. Councillor Atkinson complained that councillors were being asked to say that the members of the Tramways Committee were all excellent gentlemen, and to take the responsibility of saying that their report was right without* knowing what it was based on. On a division, on a motion to refer the report back, there were six ayes and seven noes. The report was then adopted. In answer to a question by Councillor Atkinson, the Mayor said that the report by Mr. Richardson stated, in effect, that, as there were a number of construction works completed, hands could be shortened ; also, that there were certain officials who had not been doing their duty. The Mayor deprecated Councillor Atkinson's suggestion that there was anything being '" covered up." He had intimated previously that there was no desire to do anything of the sort with anything the council was concerned in, and that there never would be any such action so long as he was concerned with it. If councillors would remember that, there would be no need for indignation speeches such as Councillor Atkinson had made. \ Councillor Atkinson commented^ that there were others besides the Mayor, and the incident then closed. BROOKLYN SECTION. The committee reported that it had been waited on by a deputation representing the Brooklyn Ratepayers' Association, the Vogeltown Ratepayers' Association, and the Mornington Land Company, asking the council to extend the trams from the present terminus to Vogeltown and Mornington; and also asking that the Willis-street line be connected to the line at the Post Office, via Customhouse-quay; and that the Brooklyn cars start from the Post Office. The committee reported that it. was getting estimates of the cost, and would report to the council later on. This was agreed to by the council.