Napier Tramways

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XI, Issue 243, 18 October 1921, Page 3

Napier Tramways

QUESTION OF EXTENSION. NAPIER SOUTH’S CLAIMS. At last night’s meeting of the Napier Borough Council, a deputation, introduced by Cr Hobson, waited on the council in connection with the Napier South tram extension. ,with a view to finding out the condition of things, and to bring before the council the views of the ratepayers in that portion of the borough. Mr W. J. Dean said the question of the extension of the tramway to Napier South had been in the public eye for some time. The council were already acquainted with the resolution recently passed by the ratepayers, and he asked that the council should keep faith ■ with the public. The proposal had been i put to the ratepayers on several oc- ■ casions ,and there was no reason why the council should go back on the original proposal. Mr G. W. Venables said Napier South ratepayers were under the impression that the trams were going to Kinross ‘ White street. If the proposals had • been properly put forward the mistake I would not have happened. Unless the trams were taken as far as Kinross j White street, there was no chance of. them paying. The council would have | to seriously consider the position. Vast i improvements had been made in Napier [ South in recent years, and if they could t not got the trams they would have to I consider the question of electric ’buses, which would derive a lot of traffic. If ( they could not the railway line they must run electric buses. The rate-: payers wanted some protection Mr J. Arnold endorsed tho views of tho previous speakers, and urged that they should find some other scheme. The ‘ railway crossing was the stumbling block. The Mayor said they were not in a position to debate the matter at the present time. On the council resuming a communcation was read from the Chief Engineer N.Z. Railways, stating that the mat-

ter of taking the trams across the railway line had received careful consideration and he regretted that tho conditions ennumerated could not be modified. i Later in the meeting Cr. Hobson, in ! accordance with notice given, moved ! as follows :— i That a further statement he prepared informing the council of the exact position relative to the extension of the tramway to Kinross White street, including the following particulars, and that all correspondence with reference to tho railway crossing he placed on the table:— 1. An account of tho negotiations between the council and tho Railway or Public Works Department re tho crossing of the railway line in Hastings street. j 2. Stating the years when the first and final communications were re- i ceived from tho Department, 3. What would bo the estimated , financial position in the way of net ’ profit or loss on this lino if extended , across the railway to Kinross White ' street under the conditions stipulat- I ed bv the Railwav Department. | 1. What were the alternative proposals suggested bv the council’s officers and their approximate cost. 5. Did the last loan proposal put before the ratepayers “to borrow £20,200 for the completion of the tramway extension to Kinross White street” provide for actually com- 1 pleting the trainway to Kinross White street. 6. What further sum would it be necessary to borrow to complete the tramway to Kinross White street, including the building of the traml way track. 7. What was the result of the personal interview between the Mayor and Town Clerk and the Government Engineer, recently hold in Wellington. The motion was seconded by Cr Ashcroft and carried.