CABLE CARS WANTED

Evening Star, Issue 23145, 20 December 1938, Page 14

CABLE CARS WANTED

RETENTION OF SYSTEM URGED RATTRAY STREET BUS TRIAL A FAILURE DISSATISFIED RESIDENTS CONDEMN EXPERIMENT Trenchant criticism of the Diesel bus trial on the Rattray street line was offered at an overflow meeting in the Roslyh Institute last night, when a unanimous verdict was entered condemning the experiment. The alleged “ dictatorial method ” adopted by the Tramways Committee in introducing the new system came under fire, the chairman (Mr R. S. Black) claiming that it was “ nothing less than illegal.” The bus service was considered unsatisfactory, being delayed and erratic, while it was stated to be unable to cope with traffic on ordinary, apart from extraordinary, occasions. A committee was formed to collect material to urge the case for the cable cars before the City Council, and, failing that, it was suggested that the case might be taken to the Supreme Court. Approximately 200 people crowded the hall at the appointed time of opening, while many more were turned away.

“Criticism may properly be levelled at the present state of the cable cars, as regards the engine room, track, and conveyances,” said the Chairman. “ It may be asked at the same time what attention these three have* received over the past few years. It can be said that in none of these matters had specialised attention been <dvcn or demanded, and the present position is due either to ignorance or a settled policy to scrap the cars. PRE-ELECTION STATEMENTS. Reference to pre-election statements made bv the mayor (Mr A. H. Allen) and the deputy-mayor (Cr D. C. Cameron) wore made by the Chairman. At a meeting of the Roslyn and Kaikorai Ratepayers’ and Householders Association on April 7, Mr Allan said “ that the requirements of the district should be considered. The Ivaikorai trams to-day were as good as, il not better than, the trams on the Mornington or Roslyn lines, it was not correct to say that buses were to lie run on the two other lines. It had been the policy to use the buses as < feeders ’ to the trams and cable cars, and he did not believe in replacing them” Cr Cameron said: I would remind von that elections take place on May 'll. If you do not want tubuses you know what to do. The Chairman, proceeding, said “ The present tramway system is authorised under an Order in Council, by which the corporation is bound to rim a minimum service. Notivithstanding tins, and the fact that there is a method of obtaining an amended Order in Council, the corporation has deliberately chosen a dictatorial method, which can be called nothing less than illegal. This is a general matter deserving special attention because it involves a clear breach of the rights of the ratepayers and the duty of the corporation. . “ Coming to the actual running of the buses, there has already aceumulated ample evidence of delayed and erratic service and an inability to -cope with anticipated traffic on ordinary, apart from extraordinary,’ occasions. Footnotes to Press correspondence supplied from' official sources have had to admit this, and at the same time disclose breaches of regulations for which private operators are prosecuteu. The already unsatisfactory position of traffic in Rattray street, Cargill’s Monument, and the Stock Exchange is gravely aggravated by the turning of buses involving an additional hazard and risk to life. This brings us to the danger throughout other parts of the routes already shown by bus stops at blind corners and the contemplated dangers of frosty surfaces on heavy grades —for example, Robin Hood U> Arthur street. At this stage comes the upkeep and wear and tear of roads, with the constant traffic of eight-ton vehicles. This cost should be set against the running of the buses and not the Works Committee.

INDEPENDENT REPORT WANTED. “ Before the corporation can claim that a fair trial has been made, there should be preferably an independent report on the costing of the whole system of buses—capital cost, running ream's and cost of replacement of buses, working expenses, and upkeep of roads. At the same time an expert report on the estimated cost of putting the existing system into economic order”

“STUDIED NEGLECT OF TRACK.” When a city councillor, Mr E. SincocK said that he had lodged a complaint about the “ studied neglect ” of the track. An Inquiry instituted brought a' report even worse than anticipated, and repairs had been immediately made. Since then the line had not been touched, and its condition was again the result of “ studied neglect.” “ There is a determined effort on the part of the management of the tramways at the present time to force the buses upon us.” The difficulties under which the buses operated in winter were described by a member of the audience, who related how vehicles on the hill routes had been tied up in frosty weather last winter. He also referred to the dangers which attended bus travellers on a frosty surface, for if the bus broke away it might turn over, and crush the roof in so that the roar entrance would be blocked, and if fire broke out, as was possible, the passengers might be “ frizzled.” QUESTION OF LEGALITY. T lie legal aspect of the respective systems was explained by Mr J. L. Galder. Trams had to be run under some sort of authority, and the authority under which tram systems were run were Orders in Council that were governed under the Tramways Act. These Orders in Council each contained conditions under which a particular system was run—a set route, certain safeguards, a minimum service, faros, and so on.

“ It has been said that the running of the buses is illegal,” continued Mr Calder. What he understood to be the correct position was that the Roslyn train line was not complying with the terms of that Order in Council under which it was operating. “ The council says that this is an experiment —it is a large, costly, and far-reaching experiment,” said Mr Calder. “In these days, when our personal liberties' are being encroached upon by legislation of all sorts, it is proper that ratepayers should see that the liberties left to them are preserved. As ratepayers we can, if we obtain the signatures of 5 per cent, of our number. demand a poll. The corporation knows that perfectly well—that is its

job. I am not imputing motives when I say that it is approaching the matter in this manner because it is very anxious to avoid having a poll. “ We still have a Supreme Court m New Zealand, one in which we have every confidence,” stated Mr Calder. “ This is a matter which might be decided there.” INCREASE IN FARES. Dr M'Millan, M.P., had stated to him that, should the cable cars he retained, there would be an increase in fares, reported the Chairman. “ On what authority?” asked a member'of the audience. “We should go and tell the Tramways Committee to-morrow what we think of it,” suggested one man, wlu.e another wanted to know whether the. could send a deputation to the Git> Council that evening. APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEE. V committee was formed for the purpose of collecting information and obtaining signatures to a petition to be circulated, the personnel comprising Messrs R. S. Black. E. Smcock, G. 1. Dennis. R. T. Stewart J. Sutherland Ross, J. G. Strack. J. Hunter. Claik, S. de Beer, and Davies. The text of the petition to be circulated is; “We the undersigned residents ot Dunedin, hereby protest against any sutetitutiou for the cable car system by buses or other means. M e are satisfied that the past history of the cable system proves its safety and efficiency. We suggest that improvements should be made to the cars, roadway and all machinery that will ensure safety for r urther 50 years and continue to carry the traffic to the satisfaction of the hill residents.”