WESTERN ACCESS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 100, 30 April 1931, Page 12

WESTERN ACCESS

WHO HELD IT UP?

"WRONG PROCEDURE FOLLOWED"

A LACK OF FBANKNESS

The Kfiniri District Association lias sought from '.Ratepayers' Association candidates for the City Council —regarded by Knvori people as the bad boys of the western access trouble — answers, "Yes" or "No," to the question of whether they favour the completion of I lie access work.

Mr. J. L>. SLevwright, speaking at Karori last night, criticised the means whereby the council had sought to force the work through against the decision of the ratepayers in 1929.

"The City Council, determined to over-rule the ratepayers' decision, tried to obtain an authorising order, thereby ilouting the expressed will of the ratepayers. It was the duty of the council to find out if the ratepayers had changed their minds on the question. The "council neglected to comply with the law. Makers of law should obey law. Five thousand ratepayers iv five days signed a petition protesting against the council's conduct, and sought a fresh poll on the question. The council said it was illegal, and did not forward it to ■ the Governor-General-in-Coimeil in the time specified by the law. The Minister of Public Works found the petition perfectly proper, and advised the council to begin do novo. There was nothing to hinder the council taking a poll of the ratepayers at this election, on the western access proposal. Why have they not done it" No, they prefer a Supremo Court action, and some candidates are now shedding crocodile- tears of sympathy with Karon residents to get their votes, when they are entirely to blame for the nonprosecution of this scheme. "Personally," said Mr. Sicvwright, "I am in support of all schemes for the extension of facilities to the suburbs that are commercially and economically sound. I will, if elected, facilitate Bowen street being pushed forward in a constitutional manner, all statutory requirements being complied with. ACT NOT COMPLIED WITH. Mr. B. Bold, another Ratcpapers' candidate, Ngaio, challenged the statements made in certain quarters that the western access hold-up was due to the action of the Ratepayers' Association. The Tramways Act provided that tlio City Council could not apply for an authorising order for the construction of tramways without obtaining the decision of the ratepayers, and asked when the council liad complied with this requirement in connection either with, eastern or ■western access.

The Act also provided that "in ease money is to bo- borrowed for the purposes of a tramway authorising order, the application shall be accompanied by evidence that the requirements of tha local Act relating to the borrowing of money for public works (which requires a poll) have been complied with" and asserted that as neither of these statutory requirements had been complied with by the council, it had! not the slightest chance of getting an I authorising order for the work even if the Ratepayers' Association ha-1 never j been in the picture at all. COUNCIL NOT BEINa FRANK. Speaking at Brooklyn, Mr. 1\ M. Butler, a Labour candidate for the council, mode reference to what he termed a, lack of frankness on the part of thoj council in regard to the Sydney street;' deviation, and said that was responsible for the impasse which hail occurred.

Ho recalled that about August or July last year, this work had the approval of the Loans Board. In September, a big row had taken place, in the Council Chamber when the Works Committee brought down a proposal for a relief loan of £25,000, and the Mayor had stated that this was not necessary, as the sum of £40,000 was still in hand. It eventually transpired that this £40,----000 was not available. This matter had not been adequately clearad up, and if it had, it had boon done behind closed doors and the public ware not informed of the decision. 'ROAD WORK AND TRAMWAY WORK DISTINCT. The only objection that had been lodged against the Sydney-stretet roading work was that lodged by certain property owners in Sydney stricet. Bcfcrring to the matter in November last year, the Minister of Public "Works informed the Press that his Department had taken, legal advice in-connection with the. objection, and it liael been decided to allow tlic objectors one month in which to lake action to obtain an injunction restraining the council from proceeding with the roading; work. This injunction had not been applied for. The recent petition of thle ratepayers merely restrained the City from laying tram tracks on. the job. There was an acute difference between the opening of the road and the laying of the tram tracks. The, City Council could start the job to-mop-row if it were so inclined, because th!e Mayor had staled that the money was available. The only matter that was held up was the laying of the tram, lines,

"The road could bio pushed ahead, and when the job was completed and better times in being,;" said Mr. Butler, "no doubt .the ratepayers would grant the necessary .authority for the tramway extension. But the whole question had been miifddled. and the important factor of tliio road itself had been lost sight of."

In this eonneeliotn, Mr. Butler expressed the opinion that a system of trackless electrical cars, in operation in other large cities, cou'd bo utilised along this route. ' •