TO WESTERN DISTRICT

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 51, 29 August 1922, Page 4

TO WESTERN DISTRICT

THE TRAMWAY CONTROVERSY

NORTHLAND WILL NOT BE

SHELVED.

Notwithstanding that there hag been much discussion during the past few months regarding the need for finding a shorter tram route to Northland and Karori than exists at the present time, there does not appear to be any immediate prospect of the residents of the western district having at an early date a service wnich will carry them to and from town quickly. The fact of the matter is that the money for the project has not yet been raised, and, furthermore, until the people concerned and the members of the City Council themselves make up their minds as to which is the best route to adopt, it is not likely to be raised. NO LOAN YET. " Two years ago a loan proposal for &p0,986 for the construction of a line via Raroa road was submitted to. and approved by, the ratepayers, but this particular item was not included in the loan which was floated on the London market a few months ago. The mo3t of the money then raised, £693,000, was for waterworks, and plant and machinery, etc., for the new power-house at Evans ■Bay. Asked yesterday by a "Post" reporter whether it was tho intention of the Ciy Council to raise loans in the near future for those works in the big loan schedule not yet financially provided for, the Mayor (Mr. R. A. ■ Wright M.P.') replied in the negative. The Mayor said that it was no uso th"c council raising money which it could not TCadily absorb, but upon which it would have to pay interest. Since September, 1920, when the loan schedule was passed by the ratepayers, many residents of Karori, Northland and contiguous districts have fully believed that no longer delay than could be avoided would be entertained in the commencement of the shorter tram route. The opinions of the Corporation engineers were in favour of Raroa road, principally on account of it* easy grade —(1 in 15)— all the way, and no public agitation against the route was raised until recently, when the report of the Special Tramway Committee of Inquiry presided over by Councillor H. D. Bennett, suggested that investigations should be made into the question of finding a better alternative route. Had the matter not been mentioned in that report the line may have gone ahead asN originally planned—whenever the money was raised. Now that the whole subject has been re-opened for discussion, there are some who feel that the construction of a new and short line to Northland and Karori is as far off as ev«r. At the last meeting of the City Council, Councillor H. D. Bennett voiced a complaint that there was too much delay in the prosesution of the council's works, and Councillor L. M'Kenzie then suggested that a sum,f>f £10,000, which it is proposed to borrow for unemployed relief, should be spent on Raroa road, eith«r in widening the artery —which it is proposed to do under the loan schedule—or in getting the thoroughfare ready for the laying- of the train rails. The suggestion was not acted upon, however, Councillor H. D. Bennett remarking that the Council did not want to know anything about the past policy ill regard to Raroa roa4. The same meeting of the council decided to continue the negotiations for the purchase of the Kelburn cable tram at a price of £45,000, and it is the general opinion m municipal circles that the Kelburn Company will accept that offes. ANOTHER RATEPAYERS' POLL. Should this prove to be the case a poll of the ratepayers will bo necessary to endorse the .purchase, and it is likely that the whole controversy regarding the Raroa load route will then come up. for revJsvr, Should the wishes of some councillors be acted upon, the ijatepayei's will be asked to vote on a schema involving the sacrifice of the Raroa .read route in favour of a line along Upland road from the top of the cable tramway r The,cost of the whole of the alternative route, including the price; of the Kelj bum tram undertaking-, will have to be , ascertained1' before the ratepayers will be asked1 to vote,, but apart altogether from the- question of expense, it remainr to Be shown whether the cable system as existing- at present can be reasonably erpected to .carry the large additional amount of traffic which will travel to and fro upon it if the new line to Karori and Northland runs along Upland rood. This is a question which the Public Works Department will have to settle, as it is the authority which has to be satisfied that a tramway system vs safe before the public may travel on its cars; • There are differences of opinion as to whether a route via Kelburn or Raroa road will be the quickest way to; the business heart of the city, but there is also a doubt as to whether the municipality can legally, depart from a proposal as approved'by a loan poll in favour of another route altogether.' Should the Kelbiirn proposal be defeated by the .ratepayers', the Council may decide to :go'on with'th'e Raroa- road routo, but if it is not desired that tho lino should go that way, then the council may let the. matter lapse by not.talcing steps to se- ; cure tho loan money within five years of j the date of the carrying of the poll. A deputation of Northland and Karori : residents who are opposed to the Raroa .road toute has already Waited on tho Council, and^on Thursday'night another ■ deputation in favour of the route will urge that the -work bo proceeded with without further delay. ' ■