(To the Editor)

Evening Post, Issue 12, 14 July 1936, Page 16

(To the Editor)

Sir, —Recently Mr. Dyett quoted a small-part of the context of a para-; graph from Mr. Morton's report regarding the vexed question of where is the centre of the city. It would-be fairer to quote the whole paragraph from the report: "The objective points to be connected require to be first considered. The western side of the .existing, Karori tunnel is undoubtedly one objective point. There is likely to be a difference of opinion as to which is the objective point on the city side and this will generally be determined by people whose place of business is of paramount importance. There are, however, other points which must be considered and among them are (a) gradual extension of the city public place'of resort, railway stations, and other public institutions, such as sports grounds, theatres, and other I amusement places. Business places are distributed throughout the city and it would be exceedingly difficult to get anything like a unanimous opinion as to which would be the best objective point on the city side!" The public will now realise that Mr. Morton (appreciated the difficulty and his final conclusion of the centre of the city was the corner of Cuba and Manners Streets, though for distances he took Perrett's Corner and most carefulthinking persons will agree With Mr. Morton. Mr, Dyett states that no one at the meeting favoured Norway Street. Now. I ask Mr. Dyett is it not a fact that Councillor Appleton advised his listeners at the meeting to go for the major issue, namely the Norway scheme? Mr. Dyett complains of two fighters for. the people's rights as holding up the job—well they are like Horatius of the old days of Rome, holding up the job until the people are fully informed.—l am, etc..

HOBATIUS.

Commenting on the 1920 loan proposals and subsequent events "Western Suburbs" states: "Karori and Northland deputations urged the council and City Engineer to adopt the Sydney Street route. The council, advised by the engineer (Mr. Morton, who was a man of wide vision), refused to spend so large a sum of money on a tram route already in existence and which would be of no material benefit to either the high levels or the community at large. The Mayor (Sir John Luke) and councillors in reply to a deputation from the high levels of the Western Suburbs who had no facilities whatever for getting to and from the city, promised that they would be considered when the loan proposals were put before the ratepayers. Consequently Raroa Road was found to be the best route for all purposes—namely, to reach the high levels—and to serve Wellington as a whole. Mr. Morton told the writer of this letter that if it were not for reaching the high levels that Norway Street was the proper and shortest route to Karori —an opinion which I heartily endorsed, although my home was on the hills.

' The Earoa Road proposal embraced a tram service to Northland. However, I the main issue was sidetracked and [ the high levels were left uncatered for. The NorthlanU tunnel was rushed through and cost the ratepayers well over £40,000! without much benefit to "anybody. j Notwithstanding all weak arguments which have been : brought to bear, upon the Bpwen Street route, the I fact remains that in the real interest loi the whole city, including Karori j and the whole of the Western Suburbs, Norway Street is the best and shortest route, also at a reasonable cost. The fact that a large sum of money has been expended in direct disregard of the expressed wish of the ratepayers, does not affect the relative values of the two routes."

. [These letters have been abridged. As the subject has now been fully discussed from all sides, correspondence in the future "must be confined to new points.—Ed.]