CONSTABLE-STREET LINE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 82, 8 April 1910, Page 3

CONSTABLE-STREET LINE.

PROPOSED TRAMWAY EXTENSION A DEPUTATION'S VIEWS. The suggested extension, of the Constable-street tramway line so as to connect with the existing lino to Kilbirnie, was btought under the notice of the City Council toy a large deputation from South Wellington last evening. Mr. R. A. Wright, M.P., said the deputation considered it was urgently necessary to havo the .Constable-street section connected with the Kilbirnie line. A population of about 10,000 people was located at South Wellington. If the people there wished to go to Lyall Bay they had to go north to Courtenay-place, or perhaps to the 'Government Station, before they could reach their destination. Th}*, if closely examined, would be found to mean a loss of revenue to the council. At present the traffic on the Kilbirnie line was congest*d owing to the line through the tunnel being a single one. The suggested line "would give <nuch-needed relief. He presented a petition, signed by 2000 bona fide residents of South Wellington in favour of the extension. Mr. Wright also suggested that the work should be put in hand this winter, when employment would not be so- plentiful. Mr. W. H. P. Barber also spoke m favour of the proposition. He emphasised the fact that the scheme had already been approved by the council. Councillor Luke (to the Mayor) : What was the estimated coi>t of the work when it was approved by the council ? Tht? Mayor: "£22,000." He agreed that the work was very necessary, and regietted that on a former occasion the piopbaal to make the extension had been rejected by the ratepayers. He thought that perhaps it was due to the fact that it was linked wih other proposals lt*s popular. (Hear, hear.) He would ask if there was an assuiance that tho loan would be carried. Mr. Barber said the petition was a sufficient assurance of the belief the ratepayer* had in the urgency of the work. The Mayor added that he would bring tnp matter before tJie Tramways Committee, and then before the council. The deputation then withdrew.