CORRESPONDENCE

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 151, 27 June 1914, Page 11

CORRESPONDENCE

RIVAL TRAM ROUTES TO THE EDITOS. Sir,— The shortest and principal route from Miramar to the city is via the tunnel. Single loop tramlines retard through traffic. Duplicate lines where trams run uninterruptedly (all the one way on each line) along the main route, would effectively serve for all time. I consider the proposal to run a single line via the tunnel, a duplicate line via Newtown, and construct a tunnel for vehicular traffic only, falls short of actual requirements, and serves as a remarkable instance of short-sighted policy. The travelling public would not submit to being compelled to _ travel the round about route to the city. The point we ought to be called upon, to consider is whether the present tunnel should be enlarged, or, a new tunnel be formed capable of carrying duplicate tramlines and veliicular traffic. If the present tunnel track were lowered ten feet the track would be practically level from Miramar to the tunnel, and if Piriestreet c6uld be made to carry duplicate lines and leave room for. single vehicular traiuc each side, I think that route should be chosen. In case of increased vehicular traffic it could also go via Austin and Queen streets. The top of Pirie-street east of Austin-street would no doubt have to be widened. This route would also serve Roseneath, and would do away with necessity for the proposed special road to Roseneath, and the saving of the cost of that road is a factor claiming consideration. Tradesmen could serve Hataitai and Roseneath on the one trip and return via Oriental Bay. The tramway should be extended from Hataitai to Roseneath ,to carry Roseneath passengers from tho city and so avoid the climb from Oriental Bay. If the widening of the present tunnel.be proved inadvisable a new tunnel should be formed capable of taking all the traffic for all time, including of course duplicate tramway. The adoption of either alternative would uot alter the fact that the Newtown routewill merely be supplementary, and it should be made to link up all available districts on its way to town. It should link Kilbirnie and Hataitai with Newtown via Wellington-road and then go via John-street and Wallace-street, to Cuba-street. Miramar should amalgamate with the city. _ The tunnel question has been shelved in order to include Miramar in the liability. Miramar might reasonably claim -that all tramway traffic on the eastern side of Mount Victoria should bear the liability, and in the case of deficit those districts be rated. It would not only be rank pessimism, but bad business too, to prevent traffic between North Kilbirnie and Newtown by compelling it to go to Courtenay-place and over the city lines in order to reach Newtown and Island Bay. Economy should be studied as it means cheap fares and rapid settlement. If we were to study future requirements, instead of looldng back at past blunders and talking town-planning, wo would perhaps realise the responsibility that is ours in respect to future requirements of Miramar and Kilbirnie. One thing is certain, and that is we would not sanction the present shirking of the Kilbirnie cutting. That work should be undertaken at once before the tramways a.re laid down, an even grade from Coroman* del-street intersection with Constablestreet to Kilbirnie would allow of coupled cars up Wellington-road if necessary, and would provide a greatly-improved Craw-ford-road for all time traffic. We require the spoil now, too, for Kilbirnie Recreation Ground. — I am, etc., C. F. REEVES. 24th June.