THE AUCKLAND TRAMWAYS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17348, 20 December 1919, Page 8

THE AUCKLAND TRAMWAYS.

DETAILS OF THE PURCHASE. FINAL ADJUSTMENT SHORTLY. The details of the completion of the purchase of the tramways by the City Council have been discussed by the Mayor, Mr. J. H. Gunson, with the chairman of directors of the Tramways Company, Mr. C. G. Tegetmeier, with whom he travelled from Vancouver on the Niagara. Speaking on the matter yesterday Mr. Gunson said that, as the citizens were aware, the purchase was settled so far as the council was concerned. There were, however, a number of points- which required adjustment. He had no doubt the municipality would shortly be in receipt of a statement from'the company as to tfie amounts to be paid to it under all headings. As soon as that had been received the council's auditor would lie instructed to look into the position. The Mayor said he had not yet had an opportunity of conferring with the general manager of the tramways, Mr. J. J. Walklate, but the chairman of the Public Services Committee of the council, Mr. W. J. Holdsworth, had advised him of the position arising out of the recent conference in Wellington, and also of matters which had arisen in connection with the undertaking in the last four or five months. There should be no difficulty in effecting a financial settlement of the purchafe transaction, and he hoped also a satisfactory understanding would be completed in connection with the men's demands and that the whole tramways interest might be placed on a stable basis, thus ensuring the continuance of an efficient service to the citizens. Mr. Gunson mentioned that, in the United States, municipal ownership of tramways systems was a prominent question. Most of the concerns formerly privately owned had fallen into the hands of the receiver, having been unable to carry on. When the services had been taken over by municipalities, fares had in most instances been increased. In San Francisco the corporation operated 60 miles of tramways, about the same as Auckland, and a private company controlled about four times that length of line. The matter of buying out the company was now under consideration by the municipality. He saw no better tramways service than that of Auckland, and manv of those he did see in America were, Re said, distinctly worse. J