TAKAPUNA TRAMWAYS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15915, 12 May 1915, Page 3

TAKAPUNA TRAMWAYS.

INCREASE IN TRAFFIC

BERTHAGE AND CHARGES.

The annual meeting of shareholders in the Takapuna Tramways and Ferry Company was held in the Ferry Buildings yesterday afternoon. The chairman of directors, Mr. .John Brown, presided, and there were nine other directors and shareholders present,

In moving the adoption of the report! and balance-sheet, a summary of which was published in the Herald on May 4, the chairman remarked that the profit for the year had been somewhat less than that of the previous year, although the incomo showed the substantial increase of £1747. The reduction in the profit was attributed to a considerable, reduction in the holiday traffic, and especially in the tourist traffic, owino; to the war depressions, the higher cost of fuel, and other charges that had not been incurred in previous year:;. Mr. Brown remarked that a very satisfactory feature of the companij'fi business was the steady increase in the passenger traiV, as a result of new settlement in the district, which promised in normal times to expand rapidly and to cive a mikh larger traffic at comparatively small additional cost to the company. The chairman added that the charges for th» use of the ferry wharves had for the present been definitely fixecT, but he hoped the Harbour Board would! soon see its way to consider favourably a proposal for a substantial reduction.

The chairman's motion was seconded by Mr. P. M. Hansen. Replying to a suggestion that a mora convenient berth was vacant at the ferry wharves, the chairman eaid flfe directors had approached the Harbour Board with a view to obtaining tlio use of another portion of J,he berthage, and it was quite likely thai the company's wishes wouM bo met.

The motion was carried.

Mr. H. Gilfilkn and the Hon. J?. Mitchelson were re-elected to the direcx torate.

Mr. W. R. Holmes was again appointed auditor.

On the motion of the chairman a vote of thanks was accorded to the company's staff for its services during the yean A. similar compliment was accorded to the directors.