GO-SLOW POLICY.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 1560, 16 June 1920, Page 5

GO-SLOW POLICY.

ATTEMPT TO SIDETRACK MOTOR ’BUSSES.

The prospect of the deviation of the railway route has considerably upset the Borough Council’s big- improvement schemes and other matters are to be held up also till something definite has been arrived at. The consideration of the engineer’s report on the New Plymouth ’busses and also the reading scheme was to have been discussed at last night’s Borough Council meeting. The Mayor (Mr J. A. Nash, M.P.) suggested that the Council should hold over the question of transport till such time as the Authorisation Bill had been passed. He also pointed out that the deviation would affect the borough reading scheme, and suggested the cessation of activities in that direction till something definite had been arrived at. He did not wish to birk discussion on 'busses. Cr. Crabb: I don't sec that it should upset all our discussion on roads. The Mayor: It might mean that we will do other roads than those decided on. Cr. Crabb said the Council had already passed a resolution to ask for a loan of £60,000 for roads for which no schedule! had been laid down. By the engineer’s report another £7OOO would be required to equip those roads with surface water drainage. It was necessary that a resolution authorising them to ask for the extra amount should be passed, and he moved that the loan of £60.000 to be asked for should be increased to £67,000. and that the town clerk be instructed to make the necessary preparations. This was agreed to. The Mayor said there wmuld be a big discussion on the other matters arising out of the proposal. “T think the trams will come back. That is what it looks like.” he observed. Cr. Graham: There is nothing surer. Cr. Hodgens: Question! Cr. Oram said he thought the matter of 'busses should be gone on with. Even though the deviation was carried out, it would not be completed for three years, and in the meantime it was necessary to provide a system of transit. One of the advantages of the mobile svstem of traction was that it could be made to serve the whole community quite apart from where the railway station was placed. A mobile system of transit was imperative to serve the needs of the town. Cr. Crabb pointed out that the question was only one of holding over the discussion. . Cr. Spooner expressed himself m favour of holding the matter over. Tt was finally decided to take that course.