TRAMS FOR OPOHO.

Evening Star, Issue 18050, 18 August 1922, Page 1

TRAMS FOR OPOHO.

XO THE EDITOR. Sir,—lt is rather amusing to read laymen’s opinions on the route .the proposed tram lino to Opolio should follow’. The City Corporation pays its engineer £BOO or £9OO per annum, and surely ho should have the last word to say on the route if ha is worth tho money being paid to him. I notice that Mr R. Ferguson-, who I understand does not live near Opoho, but who claims to speak for the general body of ratepayers, considers that tho line should go up tho Cemetery road, whereas Mr IV. R. Sinclair takes it on himself to speak for tho (ratepayers in his district, and say that it should'traverse a different route. ‘ Mr Sinclair, I also understand, does mot live at Opoho. The charge against Mr H. P. Harvey, who does live at Opoho, that lie is tho owncr_ of considerable property, and that he is therefore directly interested, is, in my opinion, entirely unwarranted. It is many years now’ since Mr Harvey started his campaign for trams for Opoho, and no one can doubt his dSfiintcrastodnes®. Tho same allegation as regards tho ownership of a large amount of property might, I believe, bo made against Mr Sinclair, but his disinterestedness would, X am sure, also not bo questioned-. Whether Mr Ferguson owns property at Opoho I cannot°say. Mr Sinclair may bo a_ very success fill' leader of “ community sings,” but that docs mot give him the authority to speak on civil engineering questions, and I have also yet to learn that Mr Ferguson s opinions on the laying down of tram hues aro worthy of any consideration: I am. No Camouflage. August 18. TO THE EDITOR. ' ] suppose wc who live in a locality that is not -going to benefit by this extension should keep quiet, in case the powers that bo aro called muddlers. Thanks to the freedom of tho Press for aR it has dono to save muddlers. Ho is a wise man that calls a halt if there is a doubt of which is the right road when it comes to spending public money. If Opoho is to have a tramway it is for the city councillors to look ahead and avoid mistakes. Personally 1 do not think cither route will pay at present,. The, Eden street one has tho best prospects; but Pelichetßay residents aro not far from the tram, and ns for tho extension from tho Gardens to , Onoho, tho population docs not warrant iL It will not pay, no matter what tho fare is; so when you arc in doubt say no. — T am, etc., G. Davis. August 17.