KARORI TRAMS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 20, 23 July 1909, Page 3

KARORI TRAMS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — Your correspondent's letter in Saturday's issuo about Karori tram loans is evidently "a draw." Instead of asking why so many Karori ratepayers oppose the tram extension loan, "Tired Waiting" should advance some reasons why the loan bhould be added U, ot- over-burdened borough. When the i ram party condescends to give some financial reasons in support of the loan, it will be time enough to ask for leasons for opposition. In the meantime, apart from the fact that the tram extension would be a great loss, there are sufficient- reasons for every reasoning ratepayer to vote against the loan. 1. The council has not attempted to go into ways and means to estimate whether the extension would be a good investment for the borough. Two or three councillors put their heads together, and a bald motion was proposed that a poll be taken for a loan. 2. At the pre-election council meeting three of the present council emphatically stated that there was no use proposing tram extension for some time to come. The Mayor spoke in the same strain. Two of the new councillors are opposed to" the loan ; therefore, five councillor,* and the Mayor were two months ago opposed to the extension. Since then two councillors, without giving any reasons, have reversed their decision, another has wobbled, the Mayor remains neutral, two are strongly in opposition, and only four are really out for the extension ' Even these four simply say, "We want extension," but do not give any reasons. 3. Tha borough debt (three-fifths of previous loans) is over £37,000. The area of the borough is about 2200 acres, three-fourths of which is unoccupied. The debt is thus over £16 per acre, r.nd the tram party wishes us to add another £12 per acre for unprofitable tram extension, making in all about £29 per acre. 4. The population of the borough is 1200. 5. There are about 200 ratepayers in Karori. 6. Losses on tram running on«the extension would have to come out of the general rates. These are almost up to' their legal limit. In order to pay losses on running, therefore, expenditure on road maintenance, etc., would have to stop or be met by more special rates. 7. The tram party state that they are hurrying no the poll, but they do not want the loan raised till next year. They also openly admit that if the loan poll were not taken till next year, it would not be carried. Thus they have not enough faith in its merits to let the proposal mature. 8. Some of the tram party also admit that they wish to mnke capital out of the bare fact that a loan for extension has been sanctioned. 9. The particulars given by the Mayor at the statutory meeting only related to the estimates of the cost of constiuction. The Mayor, with a just sense of his responsibility, carefully refrained from claiming that the extension would be a good investment. 10. Tho statement read at the above meeting had never been discussed by the council. It was as much news to some of the council as it was to tha ratepayers. 11. If "Tired Waiting" would show how he reckons the finances of the extension would, in his opinion, work out, there would bp an opportunity for others to show whether his estimate would stand scrutiny. In the light of the above, can any- | one wonder that the ratepayers are going to vote against tho 'loan? They are not quite so simple as to "Open their purses and shut their eyes," and find what the extension will land them into when it is too late. — £ am, etc., j LOOK BEFOEE YOU LE-AP. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — A few facts in reply to Mr. T. R. Boyes' statements :—: — (1) The association is composed of a few residents at the cemetery end of the borough, who, having the tram to their doors, have opposed the proposal to extend. (2) The adjustment of accounts between the city and borough cannot affect the "present indebtedness in any way. (3.) Mr. Boyes is perfectly aware of the fact that the council have no intention of borrowing at a higher rate than 4£ per cent. This was distinctly stated when the motion was before tho council, and financiers agree- that before many months money will be obtainable at that or a lower rate. (4) The extension is equitable, inasmuch as at present the whole borough is paying for the present tram, which only benefits the few residents round the cemetery. (5) The great financial loss he predicts, exists only in his imagination, seeing we lost £5*40 on 'bus service, and the interest on recreation ground is about £400 per annum, both of which 1 I amounts would be saved by the exten- ! sion. (6) Present total rates collected amount to £5000, of which one company (Lancasterj pays £500, or one-tenth, so Mr. Boyes statement that the eastern end would pay nine-tenths of loss, is ridiculous. ' Ratepayers in the vicinity of Council Chambers know that Mr. Boyes and his friends would tfust as strongly oppose j an extension to the chambers as they do the present proposal. Finally, the ratepayers are determined that tne borough will have a chance to make that progress that should be expected in view of its proximity to the city, and its great natural advantages, and will not be scared by the bogey raised by this so-called Ratepayers' Association. — I am, etc., PROGRESS.