TRAM TO ST. HELIERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17270, 20 September 1919, Page 10

TRAM TO ST. HELIERS.

ROAD BOARD PROPOSAL. \" ' .■_ : ______

LINE ACROSS HOBSON BAY.

DEVELOPMENT OF DISTRICT.

The extension of the tramway service to St. Heliers Bay is being advocated by the Tamaki West Road Board.

The board is of opinion that the only factor needed for the rapid development of the district is a tram service, giving directed rapid connection with the city. The route advocated is across Hobson Bay, from St. Stephens Point to Orakei, thence across the Orakei Peninsula, past Kohiinarama, and over the intervening ridge into St. Heliers Bay. The selection of the actual route, the board considers, should be left to a commission, comprising a surveyor and an engineer. As the Government has acquired the Grakei Peninsula for the purpose of a model suburb, the" board is of opinion that pressure should be brought to bear to have a road suitable for tram, vehicular, and other traffic constructed across Hobson Bay in conjunction with the projected railway line. A filling 3000 yards long, 60 feet wide and 12 feet deep, at Is per yard, would cost only £12,000, or at Is 6d per yard, £18,000. The adoption of up-to-date mechanical navvying machinery would enable the filling to be done at less than that cost. Seeing that the Orakei lands, when brought within one or one mile and ahalf of the city by tram, would be treble the value they would be if connected via Remuera, the board considers it inconceivable that the Government would fail to- appreciate the wisdom of providing such access before opening the lands for sale or lease.

| The board is willing to take a poll of ratepayers for the purpose of raising a loan to carry the tramline from the boundary of the Orakei district into St. Heliers Bay on the understanding that the road board provides the running, track and the City Council the power and rolling-stock the council to reimburse itself for the cost ru ___"T g th « service out of earnings any sufSlus to go toward the interest and sinkinc-fnnd payable by the ratenayers. The board is approaching the City Council on the matter.