TRAMWAY PLANNING TO THE EDITOR.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 118, 20 May 1914, Page 10

TRAMWAY PLANNING TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, — With reference to the letter appearing in your issue of the 16th May, under the above heading and signed "Ratepayer," I would like to add endorsement to that portion of "Ratepayer's" letter wherein he advocates extension of tramway to Kaiwarra. "Rate payer" further asks what good' are the constant stoppages of passenger trains at Kaiwarra. It is a fact that certain trains are well patronised, but in the majority of cases stoppages at Kaiwarra are just a matter of torm, as most people prefer walking rather than climbing a steep overhead bridge (a very difficult obstacle for elderly people), and waiting the arrival of a train. It must be admitted that a suburb in such proximity as Kaiwarra is Wellington, can be more conveniently served by tram than by train, and under such conditions it is the bounden duty of a progressive Government to amend the Act which at present prohibits the extension referred to. It is further a Government's duty to consider the convenience and comfort of. the people, and also to assist in tho advancement and development of all outlying districts, if only lor the purpose of relieving the congested ai'eas of the cities, it goes without saying that convenient transit facilities is the greatest inducement to offer in this direction. Surely this concession is little enough to expect in return for the enormous sum demanded as our apportionment of the cost of reconstructing this road. In any case there is an opening for the establishment of a motor-bus service, either municipally or privately owned, which (failing tramway extension) will inevitably be established, city councillors get in at the early doors, ratepayers advice to wake up and obtain power to extend your tramway at once, an the direction mentioned, is sound.*— l am> etc., C. BOWDEN. Kaiwarra, 16th May. "OUR PRODIGAL COUNCIL" TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Some time has now elapsed since city loan proposals amounting to about one-third of a million pounds were sprung upon a surprised public, and up till the time of writing no one has championed in the press such uncalled for expenditure. The city as a whole is to pay £70,000 for a traffic tunnel to Halaitai in order that the dwellers in that suburb may walk into town and save car fares. Where is this tunnel to be made, and is it to carry tramcav as well as vehicular traffic? Has an estimate been prepared of the cost of widening the present tunnel, oi has the question been shelved as impossible? We must remember that all traffic in the future will be power-driven, and that therefore the grades up Pirie-street, wliich were considered too steep for horse traffic- cannot be deemed to be an obstacle. If we aie to have Con-stable-street linked up with Kilbirnie, surely we do not need to go to the expensive and hazardous undertaking of putting a fresh bore through Mount Victoria. Wellington was badly had over its tramway system at the start, and I think that I am correct in saying that since its installation enormous sums have been spent in correcting radical errors. For instance, the position of the overhead wires' has been altered practically throughout the entire mileage. Everybody knows that the wrong route to Karori was decided upon, and now we are to spend JBIO,QOO in order to save two minutes by going via Hill-street. iWhy not join up the Kelburne Kiosk with the Karori tunnel — a simple. job which should have been done years ago? The city has the right to buy out the Kelburne Cable Car Company if they wish to do so. Another mistake made was in running the Island Bay cars via Revansstreet instead of having a dead straight run via Adelaide-road. The curves at Luxford-street are expensive to keep up, and result in great waste of time. There should be no need for additional loops on the Island Bay run under the present timetable. An expenditure of £1000 at Oriental Bay would result in a much improved beach, but, even as things are, surely it is more pleasant to see youngsters enjoying a "paddle' 1 on the seashore than to see them sitting on the top of an ugly brick wall gazing with longing eyes on the glistening waters beneath. I hope that such monstrous proposals will be rejected by the council ; but if they are to be put forward for sanction then special rating areas should be set apart. Mr. Mayor says that no rate will be actually levied, but 1 take this "cum grano." If anyone is to pay the piper, let those pay who benefit. — I am, etc., LUXORI 15th May, 1914.