ONEHUNGA TRAM SERVICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13481, 4 July 1907, Page 7

ONEHUNGA TRAM SERVICE.

A CONFERENCE of delegates from the several local bodies interested in the tramway service was held at Onehunga last evening. Mr. John Eowe (Mayor of Onehunga) presided,, and. in opening he said he considered that the time had arrived for concerted action over what was a most acute position. It was between the hours of 4.30 and six p.m. the greatest difficulty was experienced in getting aboard a car bound from the city to Onehunga, and he considered that the Tramways Company should inaugurate a five minutes' service to Onehunga during the hours mentioned. He had already approached Mr. Hansen about getting a better state of things, and suggested fixing twopence as the fare on Onehunga cars running along the one penny section. Mr. Hansen recognised the difficulty, but said the Auckland City Council claimed the right for people within the city to board all cars passing through ,at the nominal rate. Since the installation of the tram service, the population'of Onehunga had greatly increased, and the old 15 minutes' service was too slow between seven and nine a.m. and 4.30 and six p.m.. It was evident that there were not sufficient .cars to cope with the traffic at the particular hours named.

Mr. C. Bagley called attention to a clause in the Order-in-Couitcil, which gave ! special powers to local authorities to secure adequate service. He strongly condemned the conditions existing between 4.30 and sis p.m. "_ Mr. K. W. Barton considered that the whole fault rested with themselves, for when the time-table came before them they 1 had the power to reject or amend it. However, it was noli unreasonable to'request-a,; live' minutes' service between 7.30 and nine ii.m. and 4.30 and six p.m. It was impossible for the local company on holidays to handle the traffic with the present rolling stock. They should urge that sufficient cars be m'ovided. ■ '"'"'; j The Mayor explained that the deed of delegation provided for the placing of enough roiling stock for the proper conveyance of the public. ■'•'; Mr. W. ii. Bloomfield concurred. At Epsom they could get neither in or out. He had seen three cars in succession rush past Owen's Road without stopping to pick up passengers, though many were waiting on the corner. The City Council were in' a large, degree to blame for not keeping file company up to the mark. There should besufficient cars for till purposes. In his opinion they should take a decided stand to remedy the'evil existing. If the City Counoil stood in the way then the steps must be \ taken to bring about the necessary redress. Mr. Bagley. was anxious that united action he taken. [ Mr. Burton then moved. Mr. Bloomfield (seconded, and it was agreed to: "That I this meeting of representatives of the borough of Onehunga, of the Road Board ! districts of Epsom, Mount. IlosklU, and One-tree Hill is of opinion that the Auckland Electric Tramways Company, Limit-, ed, doss not find and provide, use, mainlain to the satisfaction of the said local authorities a sufficient number and quantity of passenger cars according to the true intent and meaning of the respective deeds of delegation affecting the matter.'.'. Mr. Burton further moved, "That the, said local bodies be urged hi the interest of | the public to enforce the clauses in their respective deeds of delegation, with a view |of securing a supply of cars reasonably sufficient for the exigencies of the public traffic." This was seconded by the Mayor and carried. A third resolution by Mr. Burton . was to the effect, " That the combined local bodies take concerted action, and secure legal advice as to their position in connection with the tramway service under the deed of delegation." This was agreed upon. It was decided to place the matter before the solicitors for the borough, and that another meeting be held on July 18 to thoroughly consider the position.