BOROUGH OF DEVONPORT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17268, 18 September 1919, Page 5

BOROUGH OF DEVONPORT.

THE MOTOR-BUS SERVICE.

The Devonport Borough Council met, last evening. Present : Messrs. J. Fletcher, in the chair, W. Perry Taylor, J. Mays, S. W. Luxford, W. A. Pilkington, G. V. Pearce, T. Palmer.

In reply to a letter from the council regarding the motor-bus service, the Devonport Steam Ferry Company wrote stating that it was impossible to make provision at present for meeting the demand for further accommodation during " rush" hours by adding to the number of motorbuses already in use, as the present staff was worked to the limit, and the trade was such -that it did not warrant an increase of plant and staff. The directors, however, had decided to make a minimum fare of 2d from Victoria Wharf, via Victoria and Albert Roads to Vauxhall store (outward journey only). This would probably relieve the congestion in favour of residents wishing to travel the further distances, and the alteration was also made necessary by additional working cost. The directors had also found it necessary to increase the cost of the concession tickets to Narrow Neck from 2s 6d. to 2s 9d for card of twelve tickets. The letter was referred to the Legal and Finance Committee.

Mr. Luxford reported that the Rev. Hugh Mason, of Otahuhu, the water diviner, visited Mount Cambria last Mon day. and was strongly of opinion that the drive on the hill should be abandoned, and that the council should persevere with its operations on the lower levels adjoining Vauxhall Road. He located four distinct streams there within a space of 200 ft, and about 10ft below the surface. One of these streams produced 7500 gallons an hour, more than half the requirements of the borough. In Mr. Mason's opinion, this* stream was the weakest of the four, and by connecting them all, by means of a drive or tunnel, an enormous supply of water would be obtained. Discussion was deferred until Mr. Mason's written report is received. Owing to the visit of the battle-cruisar New Zealand to Auckland next week, it was decided to postpone " cleaning up" week until the following week.