THE TRAMWAY SERVICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13708, 26 March 1908, Page 6

THE TRAMWAY SERVICE.

POSITION OF PARNELL.

THE MAYOR SPEAKS OUT.

At the meeting of the Parnell Borough Council on Monday night the Council declined to approve of the proposed new tramway time-table, under which the district will have a service decreased to the extent of 15 trips a day. The, Mayor of Parnell (Mr. G. W. Basley) yesterday expressed the opinion that something would have to be done to bring the tramway service up to public requirements. Ho considered that the company was practising economy at the expense and inconvenience of the public. "According to their proposed new time-table, the Parnell service is to be reduced by 15 trips a day," continued Mr. Basley, "and, of course, the public of that district must stiller from the decreased service In the past any discomforts the cars were said to have were compensated for by the better service, lor at one time 'there was a. good service to Parnell. But now one has often to wait seven or eight minutes for a car. When they were running often one did not mind so,much the discomfort of a roughly-made car or the noise of travelling, but when fewer curs are run these defects arc intensified. The cars certainly make more noise than they used to. Something will have to be done to make the company keep their contract with the people. They have entered into a contract, under which they agreed to provide the people- with quick and comfortable means of progression through the borough, and now they propose to reduce the .service by 15 trips a day. it the Parnell Borough Council did something to one of their roads to depress the tram line, the company would soon make them put it in order, and, therefore, the company should carry out their contract. "What seems to me to be wanted is combination between the local bodies. I think that the City Council is to blame, because, on account of the diversity of local bodies, the City Council is the leading local authority, and should give the load to the other local bodies. If we were all to act in unity and conformity, 1 think the Trainways Company would very soon do what is right by the public. They seem to be able to do what they like with the City Council. We hoar about the City Council issuing writs, but if they have done so, no more has apparently been heard about the matter. Ever since the inception of the tramway service there have been promises, and nothing but promises. When the company was first started, and money was not so plentiful, there was some excuse, and one was willing to allow for a great deal, but now that the tramways' large earnings are bringing in plenty of revenue we ought to have a perfect service. My personal opinion is that the City Council made a great mistake in ever allowing the tramway service to get into other hands. The Council should have retained the tramway service, and worked it the same as Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin have done. " Parnell is determined, as far as their tram service is concerned," said Mr. Basley in conclusion, "to make the company perform its contract. It is impossible to say at the moment what will have to be done, but we shall certainly take the best legal advice, and see what we can do, if necessary, to make the Tramways Company servo the public as they have contracted to do." "VAGUE GENERALITIES. The general manager of the Tramways Company, Mr. J. J. Walklate, when questioned by a Herald reporter, preferred not to say anything in reply to these strictures, which, In his opinion, were "vague generalities." Mr. Walklate added that publicity had already been given to the arrangements made by the company for the improvement of the service.