BUS REGULATIONS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 30, 4 August 1926, Page 10

BUS REGULATIONS

THE SELECT COMMITTEE

MORE EVIDENCE HEARD

The sittings of the Motor Omnibus Ecgulations Committteo of tho Houso of Representatives were continued today. Tho Hon. J. Barr, M.L.C., continued his evidence on behalf of tho Ohristehurch Tramway Board, going into figures to show tho cost of working the trams in Christchurch. He did not think that bus proprietors in Christchurch were entitled to compensation, although the board realised that tho question of compensation could not bo totally eliminated. Mr. H. Holland: "You believe that all city transport service should bo controlled by one body?"—" That is my contention." ' "Do you think tho City Council as tho licensing authority would show any bias towards the Tramways Board?"— "I am sure they would not. The council has given evidence of its desire to bu fair." Mr. V. H. Potter; "Have we not already several Municipal Ada dealing with traffic ■ problems?"—'' Yes, we havo, but they are all necessary for their particular purpose. Mr. Potter was proceeding to ask questions about Auckland when the witness retorted: "I am thinking about something that is less in the mind's eye of some peoplo than Auckland—that is New Zealand." (Laughter.) Eeplying to Mr. P. Fraser, Mr. Bansaid that there was ample safeguard that, in the event of the Tramway Board 'securing' a' monopoly, the people of Christchurch would receive a good service. He reminded tho committee that an election of members of the Tramway Board took placo overy throe years. Mr. E. P. Lee: "Docs it appear to you that those in control of tramways have recognised that there must be a supplementary and feeder bus service?" ■ Mr. Barr: "That is so." "Does it appear to you that the tramway authorities have been guided >iv coming to this conclusion by the competition of the motor buses?"— "No." "You don't think that that may have been a contributing factor'!"—"Oh, it may havo boen a contributing factor, but only in a small way." "Do you encourage overcrowding in Christchurch?"—"No. We are in a different position in Ohristchurch. We have long runa up to eight miles, and have to provide our passengo^s with seats.'' If a local body found that the traffic was reaching the danger point, it should put on buses. Frederick Joseph Nathan, Mayor of Palmorston North, said that the Palmerston North Borough Council had a fleet of buses of a total capital value of £19,000, and they had an accumu-j-latecl loss of £7500. A private bus I proprietor had asked for permission to run to a new settlement known as Milson, whore the new railway work was going on. The council had no objection to this service, provided there was a proper system of control. The committee adjournod until 10 o 'clock to-morrow morning.