ONEHUNGA TRAMWAY POLES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12268, 12 May 1903, Page 5

ONEHUNGA TRAMWAY POLES.

IAiE DEADLOCK.

CONFERENCE ' SUGGESTED.

COUNCIL DECIDES TO STICK TO

ITS GUNS.

At the ordinary meeting of tho Onehunga Borough Council last night the following potition was. received in regard to the deadlock which exists between the Council and tho Auckland Eleetrio Tramways Company over the tramway poles: — "Tho undersigned ratepayers and householders beg respectfully to suggest to your Council the advisability of holding a further conference with Mr. P. M. Hansen, manager of tho Auckland Electric Tramways Company, for the purpose of bringing about a settlement of tho present deadlock. We are actuated in our request by Mr. Hansen's statement in the Hkhald that ho was prepared to deal liberally with the Borough of Onehunga in the introduction of the tramway service." The Mayor (Mr. D. A. Sutherland) stated that the petition ought to lie on the table for a fortnight, according to the standing orders, but if any member of the Council wished to move for their suspension he would not object. Mr. Rishworth then moved, " That the standing orders bo suspended to enable the Council to deal with the petition at once." Tho motion was adopted.

The Mayor stated that if tjhe Council desired to grant the prayer of tho petition it would bo necessary to appoint a deputation to wait on Mr. Hansen. If they did this, he (the Mayor) could not be one of the number, as he was serving on the jury at the Supreme Court all this woek; and, further, due notice should bo given to Mr. Hanson of their intention, so that he could fix a date suitable to himself.

Mr. Eowe reminded the Council of a resolution on tho minute-book empowering Mr. Metcalfe, borouj'h engineer, to act on behalf of tha Council in the matter.

The Mayor said that was so, and the resolution not having been rescinded the Council were bound to abide by it. Mr. Rowo, continuing, said he did not object to a conference with Mr. Hansen if the Council desired it, but he for one would not attend it, neither would he vote for it boing held. If the Counoll made overtures to Mr. Hansen, as suggested by the petition, it would be an admission that they had been asking for something to which they had ho right. He maintained that the Council had a right to iron poles in the Borough of Onolmnga, as shown on the Tramway Company's plan, and also promised by Mr. Hansen. Mr. Mclicod said the petition reminded the Counoil of Mr. Hansen's, promise to deal liberally with Onehunga in the tramway service, but that promise was not in writing. The Council did not want liberality above measure, but justice. Mr. Stoupe said the petition in effect, asked the Council to put aside all their past actions on this question and give in. Well, he oould not agree to that course. The Council should stick to their guns. Mr. Rishworth said the Council' did not ask for favours, neither did they expect any from the Tramways Company. If the company desired to vary the agreement entered into with the Onenunga Borough Council then it was for their manager to ask for a conference with the Council for that purpose, and not for the Council to act a.. suggested by the petition. He would therefore move, " That the petitioners bo informed that as this Council ia only keeping the company t» its agreement the Council fails to see any necessity for a, conference at present." The motion was adopted, and the discussion closed.

Our Onehunga correspondent writes: — Very keen disappointment was felt in Onehunga yesterday by the statement in the llekald that the deadlock in the negotiations between the Tramways Company and the Borough Counoil over the question of iron poles v. wooden poles had not bean settled, and that the iron poles landed in Queen-street on Saturday were to be taken away again. Many people expressed the hope that the poles would bo allowed to remain, seeing they wore there, but this hope wa3 not realised, as the poles were picked up again yesterday and removed to Epsom. Publio feeling is very strong in Onehunga over the question, and after it became known last night that the Borough Council had rejected the petition suggesting a further conference with Mr. Hansen to try and settle the dispute, some of those signing it suggested that a publio meeting should be held to obtain a fuller expression of public opinion on the matter.