ROSLYN TRAMWAY EXTENSION.

Evening Star, Issue 10399, 21 August 1897, Page 2

ROSLYN TRAMWAY EXTENSION.

TO THE EDITOR. ' Sie, —“ Roslyn,” in bis letter of yesterday, says the residents of Roslyu have been rudely shocked' re the proposed poll of ratepayers. In the light of recent events it would have been a shocking transaction if the matter had passed over without a poll of ratepayers. I take it, sir, that the action of the ratepayers who signed a requisition according to Act of Parliament demanding a poll is a protest against the log-rolling which has lately taken place in regard to this tramway extension concession, and it will surprise me if 5 per cent, of the ratepayers, do not more emphatically protest on the polling day against the action of the Roslyn Borough Council.

Contrast the treatment meted out to the two companies by this Council. When the Dunedin and Kaikorai Tramway Company applied for a concession to run their new tramway to meet the wants of the longsuffering Valleyites, the Council, on the motion of one of the members, referred the matter to the borough solicitors, and it was hung up for months. When the Roslyn Company applied for a line to run opposition to the new line, the new company haying by this time obtained their concessions, the same member moved that the old company’s application be passed through the same night, and it .was dealt with accordingly and passed. Is this not a good and sufficient reason for allowing the ratepayers to have a voice in the disposal of their own rights ? Last night’s meeting of the Roslyn Council, is another reason. Notice one councillor’s attitude. This gentleman was a director in the old company. Mark the way in which he tried to pass over the people’s privileges; also the motion that was carried to refer the matter to the borough solicitors. Seeing that one of the borough solicitors is, or was, a director in the Roslyn Tramway Company, I presume he will refuse to act. The new company have given proof of their intention to push their line on with all possible speed, as shown by their having ordered rails and cement, and they deserve the support of every Kaikobai Valleyite. Kaikorai, August 21.

TO THE EDITOB. Sib, —With your permission I would like to call your readers’ attention to an adver-

tisement which lately appeared inviting the ratepayers of Roslyn to vote against the extension of the Roslyn tram to the Kaikorai Yalley. Of all the insane ways of spending the borough funds to. serve a clique of persons, this certainly seems the most rediculous. ~

' The vote is opposed to all tjiat is progressive, and is clearly against the interests of the suburban residents. Surely, if half a dozen companies choose to spend their money to make the hills more accessible the pro-perty-holders should be the last to put obstacles in the way, as they gain both in convenience and value. Supposing the present company were not allowed to run, and the Kaikorai Company failed to carry their venture to a successful issue, the residents of the district would be without conveyance. I would ask them to consider how much this would depreciate the value of their property and the rates? In fact it would bo a calamity to the interests of the borough should this proposed vote be successful. I am, etc., Roslyn Ratepayer. Roslyn, August 21.