THE TRAMWAYS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15901, 12 April 1912, Page 4

THE TRAMWAYS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —In your report of tlie meeting of the Sumner Borough Council, hold on Tuesday last, it is stated, that “ a letter was received from a resident of the borough drawing the attention of the Council to the proposal of the Tramway Board to raise the fares to Sumner in order to make up for losses on other lines. It was decided that no opinion could bo expressed by the Council at present, as the matter had not been finally settled by the Board.' 1 I would suggest to the writer of the letter to the Council that the best way to deal with the question is by public meeting. I cannot agree with the attitudo of the Council. We know the question has to bo considered by tho Board s committee, and it ought to be prior to tho date when it is to be considered by tho committee, or, at the furthest, prior to the date on which tho committee s report is to bo considered by tho Board, that any protest or expression of opinion should come from tho Sumner Council as representatives of the residents and ratepayers. Wo have been given fair warning that increases in the fares are contemplated. Now is the time to protest, and, if we can, show cause why no such increase should bo made. Silence gives consent, and it is not right to maiiitain that silence until after the alterations are made and tho new tickets printed. If the members of the Council do not consider the question, one in which they as a Council ought to interfere, they ought to say so at once, instead of sidetracking. Members of. the Council may protest that there is no intention of side-tracking, but it matters not what their intentions were, that is what they liavo done. Tho way out is to call a public meeting, and get an expression of opinion that will show thorn, and tho Board also, the feeling of tho Sumner people on the mntter.—l am. etc., JOHN BARB. RodclifFs, April 11.