CONTROL OF TRAMWAYS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15374, 8 August 1913, Page 5

CONTROL OF TRAMWAYS.

LOCAL BODIES' ATTITUDE.

DISCUSSED BY CITY COUNCIL.

Matters in connection with the control of tramways were discussed by the City Council last night. The Auckland Suburban Local Bodies' Association wrote stating that it was preferred to assist the council in having the control of the • trams restored to it, provided that the council assented to three representatives appointed by the association on behalf of the suburban local bodies, sitting on any committee set up by the council in the event of local control being obtained.

The Deputy-Mayor (Mr. John Court) said he was of opinion that it would be a good idea if three representatives of the local bodies worked with the Electric and Water Committee on questions concerning tramway affairs. He moved that such a course be followed. Mr. A. J. Entrican regretted that illfeeling had been manifested by the local bodies against/the council in the matter. Owing to the operations of the Tramways Act £320 had been lost in fees to the council and the various local bodies. Every one of the local bodies had been losing revenue because of the Act. He would challenge any local body to show that the Citv Council had not at any time been willing to assist them in every possible way. Unfortunately, some of the local bodies failed to recognise that if there were no City Council they would not be existing at all. He was exceedingly sorry to see that so much bad feeling had been displayed towards the City Council in the matter. It was to the advantage of the local bodies, as well as the City Council, that the control of the trams 'should be restored to the city of Auckland. Mr. R. Tudehope did not think it would be wise to amalgamate the local bodies' representatives with the '•■ Electric and Water Committee, on the ground that the council's business might' .be . interfered with.. ". .'*•-

Mr. G. Reed said the local bodies were trying to oppose the. City Council without cause.- The council had been responsible ,for a great many improvements ■■ in the service. He did not think the local bodies should be represented on the Electric and Water Committee to control tramway matters. ■ ''...-■ ... ■ ■ - - The Deputy-Mayor, by way of explanation, stated that he ;■■ considered the Electric and Water Committee to be the best committee to act in conjunction with the representatives of local bodies. The local bodies could approach the Electric Committee for. assistance in , the ' event of their having failed to get anything they wanted from the Tramways Company. The speaker thought -the- council should help the outside bodies. ■ Mr. : Entrican could not see any. reason for setting -up any special committee at all. He moved an amendment to the effect that tho City Council at any time would ■ be pleased to assist any local body in securing an improvement in : the tramway . service to and from the: - city, so long as it was not '. asked : ; to set aside \ any privileges or responsibilities secured by the deed of delegation; and ; that the council did not see that any good purpose could -be served "by /setting-, up a tramway board or committee. , . Mr. J. C. Gleeson seconded the amendment. ' - : V/ ■ '■:-':■■'''-- ■■":'.'-■.-' V ' '' '■■"■'f- ':i& ] Mr. Tudehope remarked that no harm could result from the course; as * suggested : by the Deputy-Mayor .1 being / given 'a trial. - /." :; , .:.//':■. ■/^/-/■•;///3^-;.;/;; r i' : ;/ ; i;/'.-::;:> With the consent of'Mr.'Gleesbh,/the amendment was withdrawn,'and the council carried a resolution stating v'that - the Electric and Water Committee would be J willing to co-operate with the local 'i bodies in ; any matter affecting'.' the tramways outside the city 'boundary. / • r * ','..' In connection with / the resolution recently .; carried by ; the / Local Bodies' Association : iaTOaring : a local tramways I board, the town clerk (Mr. H. W.' Wil--son) reported that"/-provision exists ''for I the appointment ,- of ■ joint /. committees/ Such a board- as suggested , would, he said, be ; futile unless the provisions of the Tramways Amendment Act, / 1910, depriving. the local bodies of much' of their control are repealed, and that in any case such ; a/ board could;, only enforce -in each district the provisions of the deed of delegation in respect of such : district.'/ " ' v A reply, ;* in terms ; of«this ! report, was directed to be sent "to the Local Bodies' Association. It was '-' further •; decided - to thank individual local bodies -who have offered to : co-operate with the "council in the effort to have the control of the': tramways restored to that body.