Hastings Borough Council.

Hastings Standard, Volume XIII, Issue 4309, 12 November 1909, Page 6

Hastings Borough Council.

PROPOSED TRAMWAY CONCESSIONS.

The Works Committee met in the Council Chambers last night, the Mayor (Mr J. A. Miller) presiding. Also present: Crs Mason, Hart, McCorniick, Styles, Clapham, Garnett and Donovan. The principal business for con~ sideration was the proposals made by Mr Norman Heath for the establishment of a tram service in Hastings The Mayor said they were now asking the ratepayers for an £85.000 loan and he thought this loan would be jeopardised if the ratepayers were asked to increase it. He thought if they could make satisfactory terms with the company they might entertain the tramway proposals, as wherever there was cheap transit it was bound to encourage trade. If they favourably considered the proposal the terms would of course have to be gone into thoroughly. If the borough, however, thought they could run the service themselves then they should do so. as the company must look forward to a profit, but if the ratepayers would not grant a loan for the purpose then it would be better to make arrangements on reasonable terms with the company, with a provision that the tramways be taken over after a certain time, but on no account would he consent to let the people's birthright—being conceded away. Cr Donovan supported the proposals provided reasonable terms could be obtained, as he was certain the ratepayers would not sanction the extra loan. Cr Hart complained that the terms suggested in Mr Heath's letter were very vague, and he wanted more definite information. For instance, be wanted to know in Clause A of the terms what the cost price included? Was the 5 per cent simple interest? And whether the 7 1 / 2 Per cent and 1% per cent depreciation was to be allowed annually or for the whole of the 5 year period. He would also> like to know whether the headquarters would be in Hastings. For a business proposal the letter was very vaguely worded and badly punctuated. and before he would take any responsibility everything must be made absolutely plain and indisputable. There was another matter they should consider and that was that in the event of the electric light proposals being carried they would haveltheir own electricity and if the Council kid not run their own Tramway service they could supply electric power to the Company at a price until the borough was in a position to take over the Service. Cr Styles recommended that the matter be referred to a vote of the ratepayers at the time of submitting the loan proposals. The Mayor said that 4hey had to keep in mind the electric supply service which they were going to get. If they had electric power under municipal control it must be cheaper than petrol. Cr Mason agreed that there was no tram sei vice to equal the electric one. Cr Styles held the opimon that there would be difficulty in controlling the tramway sections outside the borough if the concessions asked for bv the company were granted. Cr Styles moved and Cr Garnet seconded that it be a recommendation to the council that opinions be as to cost of a light electric ! tramway service, to run over a I distance of mi Vs. to be laid down lin connection with the tiectric Sighting scheme, and that Mr E. , Ha'Ltt, road overseer, be wired to to obtain all information possible on the matter. —Carried. On the motion of O Hart it was resolved that Messrs Norman Heath and Co. be asked to supply further information on the matters be (Cr (Hart h'id called attention to. Cr Donovan said that it should be stipulated that the headquarters of the tram service should be within the borough. THE OVERSEER'S HOLIDAY The Mayor reported that Mr Hullett had asked for a week's extension of leave. He (Mr Hallett) had, with Mr Climie, C E., visited Hawera, Eltham, Stratford, Tngle■vood and New Plymouth and inspected the drainage, water, and electric supply systems in those towns On his way home he wanted to break his journey at Carterton toinspect the town improvements the-Se. —Extension of leave granted. VOICE OF THE RATEPAYERS The or read a letter from the vigilance committee whose object it is to watch the progress of the Napier Harbour Board Loan Bill through. Parliament. c r Clapham spoke at considerable length strongly protesting against the action resolved upon by the Harbour Board. It was resolved that a strong recommendation be made to the " Council to resolve that it was imper- ; ativethat there should b? inserted yjf the Napier Harbour Board Loan BilJ a cJau; e providing that a poll of the ratepayers must be taken before any loan could be raised; a copy of the resolution to be forwarded to Mr A. Dillon, member for the district,, ands to the Minister, of Marine. The or and: Cr Claphaoi, were appointed delegates to attend the Waipukurau, conference regarding this matter.