INCLINED TRAM

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 140, 11 December 1923, Page 2

INCLINED TRAM

ACCESS TO ROSENEATH

"ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL FOR

THE DISTRICT"

" We look upon this lift scheme as being absolutely essential for the progress of the district. We urge this scheme because it is the council's own scheme recommended by its own officers, and for which the funds have been provided." This was the essential part of the argument advanced for the inclined tram by a deputation of the Eoseneath and Oriental Bay Electors' Association to the Civic League last evening. Mr. Stuart Wilson presided. | Mr. F. W. Moore said the object of the deputation was to place before the league the views of the association in regard to the proposed cable car or lift from Oriental Bay to Eoseneath. Lately there had been a lot of controversy over the question, and the City Council had given the association the impression that it was not very sure whether it would go on with the scheme. The speaker alluded to the effort* made j during the past twenty-six years to get the council to improve the access to ] Roseneath. The necessary preliminary steps (supported .by expert engineer reports) -had been taken, and some expense had been gone tq by the council, which had secured a piece of land just above the site where the car was supposed to go. After all this, if the council did not go on with the scheme, it would stultify itself very much, POSITION SUMMARISED. ' Mr. C. M. Tumbull read a detailed history of the whole project, which was summarised as follows:— "Nearly five years ago the City En- ' gineer recommended an inclined lift or tram from Oriental Bay to Eoseneath, and that was adopted by the council. "On the 20th August, 1920, the Mayor explained the loan proposal as ' improved access to Eoseneath, including lift, £10,----000.' The loan was carried by the ratepayers. "11th April, 1922: The council de-' cided to rajje the loan, " 22nd April, 1922: Engineer reported that development of district rested on main question of improved access. "13th June, 1922: Mayor reported loan oversubscribed, and th*t improved access to Eoseneath would receive early consideration by the council. " 13th September; 1922: Mayor stated ' it is settled about the lift.' "2nd September, 1922: City Engineer advised extension seawall to take spoil from the lift construction cheaply. "22nd December: Mayor reported that when laud was acquired tenders would be called for the lift. " 18th April, 1923: Mayor stated seawall work and lift construction to follow shortly, so that two works should proceed simultaneously. " Land acquired from Mr. J. J. M'Grath in June, 1923. "14th June, 1923: Works Committee recommended inclined 'tram to Eoseneath, following advice from Mr. Cable, electrical engineer. Eeport adopted by the council.

"3rd August, 1923: Hen engaged on inclined trani site cleaning ground of gorse. ■ ■'. . ... .■ ■ ;

'22nd September, 1923: Mayor reported plans had been prepared and copies sent to America and 'England: they were trying to get the latest'inJprmation re machinery, etc., for tram • '•'26 th November, 1923: Association deputation to Tramways Committee (Mayor presiding) told, by chairman that work must go on,' then presented with estimate showing a Joss. "Follpwing council meeting apparently general wrangle. Political agitation to negative all the council had done and take up projects reported on five years ago as far too costly. «," In .c,ol}clusicm> i(i WW be seen that the residents and the association have exercised great patience, and if the steps already taken by the City Council are again to be a matter of endless discussion with no practical work done, they will have a right to assert that they have been grossly deceived. As it is, they can point out that the inclined tram ;s the councils' scheme, recommended by its officers, and adopted- by it. How comej it, then, that after money js raised, plans decided on, wide investigations made, and the ground made'ready for starting work, the council now discover that it must make a guess at the revenue, and, for reasons we do not understand, some of the councillors are trying to upset matters already decided on, and have absolutely no alternative proposal that comes within the £10,000 available for Boseneath. This appears to us more like politics than business, and we ask for the support of the league and all reasonable citizens in seeking consistent and fair treatment for our district."

Messrs.. F. W. Downs and T. Ward spoke strongly in support pf the prosecution of the work authorised by the City Council, and for which fundß had been provided.

Several members of the league endorsed the contentions of the deputation. Mr. A. C. Blake, replying to the alleged statement of the Mayor that the line would not pay, pointed out that tl»e fourth and fifth sections of the tramways might not pay at once, but no one questioned the wisdom of extending the trams.

In his reply, Mr. F. "W, Moore reiterated that they urged the council to go on with the work they had authorised, and for which funds had been provided. reply to Mr. F. Gray, it was stated that if the Hawker street or any other more costly plan were adopted at this stage it would men that a fresh poll would be necessary. The members of the association were thanked for presenting their case to the league. '