CITY TRAMS

Evening Post, Volume CC, Issue 5, 6 January 1921, Page 7

CITY TRAMS

RECENT INCREASE IN FARES

COMMISSION OF INQUIRY WANTED.

By design or otherwise, a special meeting of the City Council, called for last night, to reconsider the question of tram, fares, lapsed, as there was not a quorum present. The meeting was called on the requisition of seven councillors who voted against the recent . increase in fares. Not one of the eight who voted in favour of the increase attended. The meeting was timed to commence at 7.30 o'clock, and, as; provided by the stands ing orders,, the Town Clerk waited half an hour before declaring that the meeting had lapsed. At 8 o'clock the following were in attendance :—Councillors J. 0. Shorland,.L. M'Kenzie, O. H. Chapman, B. A. Wright, P. Fraser, J. Hutchison, J. Bums, and J. Mi Dale.

It was ascertained that the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) was out of. town. The Town Clerk read an apology from. Councillor Gaudin, who stated that he was unwell, and would not be able -to attend. Councillor Lucltie wrote to the effect that it. would be impossible for him to attend. He asked for an adjournment for one'week.

Councillor W. H.'BennetC wrote: "As I understand .. that. his ... -Worship.-'. and several councillors are away,' and'as~ I am not willing to have the tramway fares' reviewed undtor these conditions, when a catch-vote may. be taken, I shall absent myself from Wednesday's meeting." , ''.-■.■

The Town Clerk informed those present that the meeting could not be adjourned for longer than three days. After the position had been discussed in private, the following 'requisition-was handed to the Town Clerk :—

"That a special meeting of the council be held in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Wellington, on Tuesday, 18th January, at 8 p;m;,' for the purpose of further considering the matter of tramway fares, finance, and management; that a commission of inquiry be appointed to take evidence and make recommendations with a vie v of securing economy in tramways administration Signed : C. H. Chapman, R. A. Wright, J. Burns, J. M. Dale, J. 0. Shorland, L M'Kenzie, and J. Hutchison."