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Evening Star, Issue 11676, 7 February 1902, Page 4

The citizens generally are getting full up nf the interminable discusThe sions on the tramways quesTramnajs. (ion. So prominent aro the facts that it is unnecessary to refer to the history of the municipal administration of the tram services so far, and of the business connected with the in-

troduction and establishment of electric traction. The principle of “how not to do it. ” has been steadily in application, and between tho Council and the Special Tramways Committee procrastination has in truth been the thief of time, and hope delayed is making the heart of tho public very sick indeed. Tho blame would not seem to be so much on any individual as upon the system, which, many years ago condemned and altered, has more recently been reverted to—namely, the discussion of important matters in camera and the relegation to committees of business which should more properly be transacted in open Council. The results have been continual delays, voidanco of responsibility, and the creation of friction, which necessarily prevents the smooth working of tho machinery of local government. The “affair Muir,” ns the French would term it, is a notable illustration of tho misdirected energy and, we might almost say, muddling inanity which unfortunately characterise the proceedings of the Council. Altogether too much fuss has been ma*.e of a most trumpery business —a mountain has been made of a molehill, and a grave scandal sought to be discovered in what most reasonable citizens properly regard as a mare’s nest- We hold no brief for Councillor Muir, who, we conceive, to liave been indiscreet, although there is no reason to believe that he has not acted : n good faith. That he was under a misconception as to the conversation the substance of which he related in the first letter which appeared in our columns is quite among the probabilities; but he has most amply disclaimed the intention attributed to him of implicating a particular firm in the charge of attempted bribery, or of impugning the honor of his fellow-councillors by the faintest imputation that they were open to such influences. There has been, therefore, no necessity for expression of virtuous indignation by the Mayor and other speakers at Wednesday’s meeting, since there was no outraged honor to vindicate. With respect to an inquiry into the allegations made or assumed to have been made by Councillor Muir, if it is decided that such an inquiry is desirable, there must be no hole-and-corner business, but the whole proceedings should be conducted in open Council—no dosed doors or relegation to a committee. Bo far as Councillor Muir is concerned, the issue, we are disposed to think, lies between himself and his constituents.

Councillor Scott, in moving the adoption of the report of the Tramways Committee, referred to an article which appeared recently in our columns adverting to the Ocean Beach service—air article, he declares, “ quite uncalled for and not true.” He quoted certain statistics in proof uf this particular section not being a paying one. This fact has been notorious for a

long time, and it is likely to continue unremuncrative under the present management. which is most keenly resented by the residents of that portion of St. EQda and South Dunedin who are supposed to be served by the lino and whose comfort and convenience are, we might say, sedulously neglected. The state of the permanent way and the condition of the cars are positively scandalous, and the overcrowding is so atrocious and habitual that we axe surprised that the assistance of the law has not been invoked to bring the City Council to a sense of their statutory obligations as common carriers. The residents along the line will be somewhat astonished to hear from Councillor Scott that from 7.25 a-m. to 11.15 p.m. the cars pass any given spot on the lino every quarter of an hour- This is a statement correct only in being official, and, if official, according to the First Lord in ‘Pinafore,’ it must, of course, be irrefutable! As to the proposal by Councillor Tapper, that the purchase of the Roslyn lino by the City should be taken into consideration , we are quite satisfied that the time has not arrived for entertaining any such idea. The ratepayers most assuredly would not think of sanctioning the proposal until more business aptitude is exhibited by the City Council In managing the City and suburban services which they have under their control at present There are important questions involved in the premises which are likely to demand consideration in the public interest, chief among them being the desirability of constituting a Tramways Board, with well-defined powers, J. the whole of the street traffic of the City and suburbs is to come under direct municipal management

An extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders of the Roslyn Tramway Company was held last evening, when it was resolved to liquidate the company, and Messrs Walter Qow and John Loudon were appointed liquidators. We understand that steps will be taken to bring about a reconstruction of the company. In any event we may assume that purchasers will be found who will bo preoared to carry on the undertaking, which is a valuable one, and a great convenience to dwellers in the district.

The monthly meeting of the Port Chalmers District High School Committee was held last evening; present —Messrs J. M’Lachlan (chairman), J. Mill, J. Tait, Sharpe, M’Gregor, Hendry, and Thomson, The I'ector reported that the attendance was 427, whilst that of Standard VII. was satisfactory. It was decided to recommend Miss A. De L. Graham for the position of extra female assistant. The Committee were gratified that Robert Olsen, dux of the school, had gained a senior scholarship. Messrs Hendry and Tait were appointed the Visiting Committee, for the ensuing month.

The monthly meeting of (he Macandrew road School Committee was held last evening, the following being present: —Messrs Chetwin (chairman), Somerville, Peterson, Duguid. White. Dodds, Milburn, Hurd, ancf M‘lndoe. The secretary reported on the arrangements for the annual picnic. Mr Hurd "reported that the contractor had finished the gymnasium, and that it had been passed by the architect. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr Hurd for his services in connection with the gymnasium. It was decided to open the building with a concert, when several >f the items given by the children at the break-up concert would hj& repeated- The head-master reported that a number of new scholars had joined, and that the attendance was up to the usual average. The sum of £2 10s was received from the Demonstration Committee.

Tho Garrison Band wiH play at the Botanical Gardens on Sunday afternoon, at 2.45. The s.s. Express leaves the wharf for Maori Kaik to-morrow, at 9.ffi a.m., again at 2.30, and on Sunday at 10 a.m. and 2.30. Given fair weather, this is a good opportunity for an outing.

Thu Ravensboume regatta tabes place tom.'r'- • starting at 2.30 p.m. Trams leave Dune:.)i” »t 1.15 and 2.30 pan.

T:. . kuilvvay Department advertises special trahn for the Early Settlers’ picnic at Wingain! on the 13lh inst. Montague's great annual clearing sale is now on? Parties furnishing should not miss this opportunity. —[Advt.] Hendy’s Hairdressing Rooms, Princes street, replete with every comfort for shampooing, hairdressing, etc.—[Advt.] A striking example of twentieth century development is seen in the Anglo-Special and Humber Cycles. Anglo, Princes street.— [Advt.] Sandow School Physical Culture, Farley’s Hall, Princes street. Two inches chest improvement or fco returned. Every evening, 7 to B.—[Advt! No sale, no rubbish, no humbug; everything at lowest prices. F. R. Hall’s, “Under the Billies,” 186 and 222 Princes street south.—[Advt,] At Ritchie’s stock-taking sale you can get a splendid assortment of all household furnishings at greatly reduced prices. Ritchie’s Staffordshire House, 29 George street.— [Advt.] A regular feast of bargains this week in men’s, boys’, youths’ ready-made clothing and mercery. The whole cf the factory samples less Uan half-price. See door and windows. Clotning Factory, Octagon.—[Advt.]

Attention is drawn to an advertisement appearing on fifth page, notifying that Mrs Gill, Princes street, after over nineteen years' successful trading, has determined to sell her millinery and drapery business as a going concern. —[Advt.] Mr Morris, photographer, Princes street, Dunedin, finds it is not generally known that his charge is one guinea per dozen for cabinet portraits of children. Any extra charges are for vignettes, groups, large mounts, also tho various methods of printing. —[Advt.]