PURCHASE OF TRAMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17125, 2 April 1919, Page 10

PURCHASE OF TRAMS.

VIEWS IN THE SUBURBS...

GENERAL APPROVAL VOICED.

THE QUESTION OF RATING.

Tho proposal of the Auckland City Council to purchase the electric tramways system has created much interest, particularly in the suburban areas. Residents of the outlying districts feel that they, in particular, will be affected by the purchase, as they nope it will result in an improvement and an extension of their present services. The Mayor of Mount Eden, Mr. C. Hudson, said he did not caro to express a definite opinion regarding tho matter until the full proposals wore placed before the Mount Eden Borough Council. As far as he could see at present, however, so long as the rights of municipal bodies were reserved, and the Auckland City Council assumed the position now occupied by the company, he did net think any serious objection would be raised by the Mount Eden authorities to tho acquisition of the tramway system by the city. There was one material point for consideration. At present the Tramways Company was one of tho largest ratepayers in the Mount Eden district, and it was presumed that the Borough Council would not be put into a worse position under the suggested new control as against the old by being deprived of the rates. The City Council might contend that as the tramway system was owned by the municipality, there was no liability to pay rates to other local bodies. If tins attitude was maintained, the Mount Eden Borough Council might lose a considerable amount of its revenue. Mr. Hudson said it was evident from the declared policy of the company that there was no nope for any extensions of the system. Presumably tho City Council could give the other local bodies which at present had agreements with tho Tramways Company an assurance that any necessary extensions in the various suburbs would be undertaken in a reasonable time. General approval of the proposed purchase was expressed by Mr. T,' B. Clay, Mayor of Mount Albert. The citizens would require to bo satisfied, to his mind, that the valuation' was a (air one. "Of course, it will bo the outsido districts that will benefit most under tho scheme," ho said, " for it is presumed that one of tho first steps the City Council will take will be to make the much-needed extensions in the suburban districts. Tho Tramways Company, for instance, once had a scheme for extending tho line along the Great South Road, theuce to tho Royal Oak to form a loop system. It seems to me, too, that in view of the position that has arisen between the company and its employees, it is essential that something should bo done, and tho municipalisation of tho service seems tho best way out of the difficulty."

SHARP DEMAND FOR SHAKES.

SALES TRANSACTED YESTERDAY.

The sharp demand for Tramways Company shares on the Auckland Stock Exchange, which commenced on Monday, was continued yesterday. The closing quotations for tho shares on Monday were:—Sollers 21s 6d, buyers 20a 9d. At the first call on tho exchange yesterday sales were effected at 21a 6d, 21s 9d, and 225. At the later calls further sales took placo at 21b 9d and 225, the closing quotations being:—Sellers 225, buyers 21s 9d.