THE TAKAPUNA TEAMS.

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

THE TAKAPUNA TEAMS.

THE QUESTION OF FARES.

ARGUMENTS FOR INCREASE.

A statement in regard to the question of an increase in the fare on the Takapuna tramways was made to the Waifcemata County Council yesterday by the Hon. E. Mitchelson, chairman of directors of the Takapuna Tramways and Ferry Company. His remarks were in support of the request to the County Council to agree to I the schedule of fares recently rejected by I the. Takapuna Borough Council. I Mr. Mitchelson said it was impossible to continue the service without increasing the fares. An increase of over £6000 an, last year expenditure - would have to be met Tie company had been charged with failing to give an efficient service, but having regard to the difficulties created by the war it was a matter for wonder that the service was as efficient as it was. . It had been intended to electrify the system, but owing to the war this could riot be done. An effort to obtain a new engine from England failed owing to the War Regulations, and a prohibitive price was first i asked for an American locomotive. It was ■ found to be impossible to get an engine made locally, and two locomotives, for which an order ultimately was placed in America, had not yet arrived. There was no desire to make more than a, fair increase in the fares to meet the company's increased expenditure. The council decided to await the result of the pending action between the Takapuna Borough Council and the company. A committee of the council was appointed to deal with the matter in the meantime.