WADESTOWN'S NEBULOUS SERVICE.

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

WADESTOWN'S NEBULOUS SERVICE.

A report concerning Wadestown's proposed tramway was also submitted to the council by its Finance Committee. It was lo the effect that the committee had been waited on by a deputation of ratepayers of Wadestown, asking that the whole of the Highland Park Estate and Goldie's Brae be included in the special rating area for the Wadestown tramway, when the proceedings were being taken afresh, and also asking that the tramway be token through Parkstreet instead of the route adopted by the council, viz., via Saunders-lane. The committee recommended that the deputation's first request be acceded to, but that the council adhere to its previous decision to take the tiamway via Saun-deis-lane. Councillor Shirtcliffe moved that the report bo referred back, with an intimation that tho committee should confer with local veride&tti.

Councillor Atkinson supported the amendment, much as ho - regretted the necessity of postponing further necessary and desirable work. He commented that it was practically a monstrous proposal which the council consented to, by its representatives, in regard to the exclusion of parts of the rating area, ana the hope of having that put right was one of his reasons for favouring further delay. The decision to retain the Saun-ders-lane proposal was unfair to Wadestown. It was grossly unfair to charge Wadestown with the ±AO,OOO that would be needed lo defray the cost of improving Saunders-lane. It was well to accept the city engineer's report that the Saunders-lane route was tho better onu i but not to follow the finance committee's proposal ,to lax Wadestown for tiio improvement of it. Councillor Luke thought it an iniquitous thing that within a quarter of a mile of the proposed tramway thero should be an exempted district. He also complained about the proposed penalising of the Wade&town ratepayers, with tho cost of improving Saunders-lanis. He was not averse to having the local residents consulted. Councillor 'Smith was getting tired of all the talk about the tramway. Wadestown had been given the best route ; the city engineer had reported that Park-street was not a suitable route. It had a nasty, rapid rise, remarked Councillor Smith, and he added that as the council had no present need to widen Saunders-lane, it was but right that Wadestown should foot the bill for a work to be undertaken solely for its benent. Councillor Fitzgerald regretted the apathy that had been shown over the matter of this tram. He contended that when the responsible officers of the council agreed to the exclusion of 'Goldie's Brae they knew that the remaining area was insufficient. The council, too, had been used for electioneering purposes iii the matter ; he would prove that ! It was published in the newspapers of Wellington, on tho day before the election, that the work would be gone on with at a date specified, when all the time they were qmtc conversant with the actual position. He was almost tempted to move for a commission to enquire into the matter. Councillors Fletcher and Ballinger deprecated Councillor Fitzgerald's assertions, and Councillor Smith laughed at them by way of comment. It was 'stated, that the first the committee knew about the reduced area being insufficient was the announcement made by the Mayor some two or three weeks ago. Cunoillor M'Laren said that a councillor should be more guarded in his assertion than Councillor Fitzgerald had been. Councillor Fitzgerald: "I've got proof !" Councillor M'Laren commented that it Councillor Fitzgerald had proof he haa taken a, most peculiar course in suppressing his proof and publishing bare abortion. With due deliberation, he «aid it would be well for the people of Wadestown seriously to consider whether they would have a tramway at all. If the present financial state of the city and the country continued, the district, saddled with its tramway, might find itselt considerably burdened and hampered with rates to make up deficiency in receipts. He was favourable to the proposal to have a consultation. Councillor Hindmarsh said it was M-ise to extend the rating area a& wide as possible. TOO MUCH LOQUACITY! At this stage Councillor Ballinger moved the suspension of tho standing orders, it then being 10.17 p.m. A considerable amount of business still remained unfinished. Councillor Shirtcliffe pointed out that hitherto the business of the council had been disposed of at a reasonable hour ; but the time had been wasted by too much loquacity on the part of certain of the councillors. The standing orders were suspended by 11 to 4. The discussion of the Wadestown question was then resumed. Councillor Devine charged some speakers with displaying ;i great deal too much mock sympathy in this matter. It was cheap, but worthless. It was uttered purposely to gain notoriety. Councillor Zilorrah said that one of the considerations under which the Rhodes trustees were allowed to close certain toads was an agreement to give certain lands required foi purposes of the new tramway route. If it was departed from, this land Avould be lost; and the roads were closed already. He lamented the baseless attacks by Councillor Fitzgerald, but attributed it to inexperience. ' It was agreed, on the voices, that the matter be referred back to the committee, with an instruction to consult with three Wadestown and one Goldies Brae resident before bringing down another report.