TRAMS OR ’BUSES.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume II, Issue 72, 9 March 1912, Page 4

TRAMS OR ’BUSES.

For the purpose of prejudicing people against the suggested substitution of motor ’buses for the Napier electric tramway scheme insinuations have been made that the .adoption of the ’bus is advocated bv interested persons. The allegation is entirely false, but doubtless it has been accepted by a few unthinking persons. With a view, therefore. »f dispelling any such misunderstanding we quote-what is being done, cr what is proposed to be done in Palmerston, which is far removed.from the “interested” people supposed to be agitating for the sale of ’buses in Napier. Some days ago we drew- attention to the proposal for a bus service in Palmerston, and in further connection with the matter we publish some extracts from a leading .article in the ‘’Standard.” In the course of its remarks our <-i-n--temporary says:—“lt will be remembered that a little time- back ih? Council of the Chamber of Commerce decided to call a meeting ■■ f business men to endeavour to devise a way of bringing the country districts into closer touch with Palmerston. The meeting was a large and representative one, and promised to make an effective move in the interests of the town. Since it was held many promises of support have been obtained .and at last night’s meeting it was announced that 3000 shares could bo placed. But In. t night’s meeting took an unexpected course. It not only decided to form a. private company to link rn town and district, but decided to inclv l 0 town routes, and the report supplied to us (the pre«s was hol admitted) adds the significant statement that during the discussion “the rel.athc merits of trams and motor ’buses in the town and suburbs were coa,“’dered and it was explained that with the capital of £lO,OOO which the company expected to have at its disposal a service of motor ’buses could be run which would be much more effective and economical than the proposed electric Irani system io cost £69,000.” If this statement means anything it means: (1) -That the meeting prefers motor ’buses tc trams for the town ; (2) that it will oppose the tram scheme ; (3) that it will endeavour to monopolise what Ought to be a municipally owned service. For a considerable time the ‘Standard’ advocated, almost alone, 'the advantages, cf a mcfio.r ’bus service fcr Palmerston as opposed to electric trams, and consequently it cannot take exception to the proposed company’s preference. But it might be pointed out that quite a number of those new advocating motor ’buses were, till within a few days ago, enthusiastic advocates of trams.” This extract from th;: “Standard” carries its lesson fcr the people of Napier. It will show that other people and other towns can awaken to the benefit of a ’bus service without the malign influence of “interested” persons from Napier.