"IT CANNOT PAY"

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 128, 27 November 1923, Page 8

"IT CANNOT PAY"

TRAMWAY TO ROSENEATH

COUNCIL BOUND TO PROCEED.

Replying to a deputation representing the Eoseneath and Oriental "Bay Batepayers' Association, which waited upon the Tramways; Committee of the council yesterday afternoon to protest against the delay in constructing the inclined: tramway to Roseneath, the Mayor, Mr. R. A. Wright, forecasted anything but financial success for the tramway. Mr. Wright maintained that; in view of difficulties which had cropped up, particularly as to land, since the scheme was decided upon, the delay had not been bo serious after all. Information as to the working of such an inclined tramway as would be required, had been sought from America, and the facts and figures received made it clear that the tramway could not be made to pay. The total capital charges would amount to £905 per annum (£3500 at 7 per cent, and £6000 at 11 per cent.), and operating expenses would bring the annual expenditure up to £2163, the detailed figures of the probable working expenses being: Two men at 2s per hour for 48 hours on six days a week, £9 12s; one man ac 4s an hour for eight hours on Sundays, £1 12s; total, £11 4s. Two door attendants at Is 3d per hour for 48 hours 'a week, £6; two others for four hours each on Sundays at 23 6d per hour, £1; total operating expenses, £18 4s. Electricity, tickets, etc., £6 per week. The estimated revenue, continued Mr. Wright, based upon 300 ." up " passengers at l^d and 200 "down" passengers at! Id fares per seven days of the week, was £985, so that an annual deficit of £1178 was probable, and ta his mind that was a conservative estimate of the probable loss. However, the council was committed to the work, and as no way could be seen of cutting down expenses, he was going to suggest when the matter came before the council on Thursday evening that the tramway department should make an arrangement with reference to sharing the loss. Councillor Forsyth, asked whether, after the deputation had had the figures before it, it considered the council bound to carry out the work.

Absolutely, replied Mr. D. M'Laren. Owing to the configuration of the land, it was not possible for a satisfactory road to be constructed, and without improved facilities justice could not be done to the district.

Mr. F. Moore added;that Roseneath had a large number ,of empty, sections, with gas, electricity, and water to the top of the hill, and it seemed foolish for the council to spend money on opening up land for settlement when there was that land so close at hand.

Remark was made by Mr. F. Down that third sections on city. tramways seldom paid their way, and he did not see why the committee should expect the Roseneath tramway (a third section) to pay. ;

In answer to a question from Mr. M'Laren, the Mayor said that if the committee s report to the council on the project was approved o n Thursday night, the officers of the Corporation would be instructed to proceed with the work though it might not be possible to make a beginning immediately, as there was a great deal of other work on hand The tramw/y would, if the report were approved,, 'be gone on with as soon as the officers Tound it convenient to do so