BETTER TRANSIT

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 79, 3 April 1914, Page 8

BETTER TRANSIT

motor-buses as feeders three electric vehicles to be secured: From time to time- the City Council has discussed the question, of securing motor^'buses as feeders for the tramways, and the proposal was again under notice at last evening's meeting, when the following petition, signed by fifty ratepayers of Vogeltown and Mornington, was presented by Councillor Frost : — "We, the ttnefersignee! ratepayers of Vogeltown and Mornington, having been led to understand that it would be impossible to give us a tram service tor some years to come, respectfully request the council to provide motor-buses to meet the trams at Brooklyn, and we can assure the coun« cii that such will be a paying proposition from the inception tthereof.l' 1 The matter was referred to the Tramways Committee. Later in the evening the following clause in the Tramway Committee's report was under discussion: — ■ "That the tender of Messrs. Richardson, M'Cabe and Co. for the supply of three Tilling Stevens petrol electric mo'J;-'buses be accepted, as recommended by the Tramways Board of Management." Councillor R. Fletcher was of opinion that five 'buses should be obtained, as three would be insufficient. The petition from Vogeltown residents showed, how badly that district was served, and other districts suffered in the same respect. In addition to their use as feeders the 'buses could be used as observation cars. Councillor Frost supported Councillor Fletcher, remarking that Roseneath and other districts besides Vogeltown were sadly neglected. The extra two cars would mean only an additional cost of £2300. Councillor H. Buddie thought the clause should stand as it was, as the roads over which the 'buses would run would haveto be put in order, and if five were ordered it would be impossible to get the thoroughfares in good condition in time. Councillor L. M'Kenzie suggested that if it should be decided to purchase extra cars, tho question of procuring a standarct, type of vehicle be considered. It would be wise, in view of the varying consumptions of petrol and lubricating oil, to do a little experimenting 'until the conned settled down tb one type of car. Councillor J. Fitzgerald thought the time had arrived when the council should endeavour to standardise its "Ijusijs, aa the vehicles got beyond tho experimental period. This was a. motor ■*gu, :md whether or 'not tho council •A-en+- in for 'buses, it would have to put th's roads in order. Councillor J. Fuller thought that three iiiotor-cnrs for a city of Wellington was too small a number, but he could not go against the committee which was piao Hc«lly making an experiment. The Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) agreed with the suggestion that the 'buses could bo used aa observation cars. Vogeltown especially had an urgent claim to motor-bus service, and its requirements should be considered first. Tho council should, however, first feel assured that it was getting a type of car that would not bo out of date in a year or two. The clnti3O was adopted ■ without amendment.