TRAMWAY EXTENSION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18332, 23 February 1923, Page 8

TRAMWAY EXTENSION.

: PROPOSED DUPLICATIONS. KEVIEW OF THE FINANCE. LOAN OF £70,000 DESIRED It was recommended to the City Council last night by ' the , Electricity and Tramways Committee that a loan , proposal for the sum of £70,000 be sub- ! mitted to the ratepayers. This sum would complete a full and satisfactory ' programme for the next two years, fol--1 lowing which further extensions deferred . could be considered by the council. The proposed programme, including allocation of loan money, ia as follows:— . £ To complete works in previous statement .. ... . . 15,800 Remuera Road duplication ~ 7,100 Grey Lynn duplication . . .. 10,000 , Onehunga duplication . . • . 19,000 . Extension to Zoological Gardens from the Grey Lynn line . . 17,000 Contingencies .. . • • • 1,100 Total .. <. .- 70,000 . The tramways ' manager had advised the committee that such works, particularly duplication, should not be delayed if traffic conditions were to be coped with, and that it was inadvisable to defer action until the completion of works already authorised. Traffic to the Zoo. It was pointed out by tho chairman of the committee, Mr. G. R. Hutchison, 1 that the extension of the tramway line 1 to the Zoological Park was not a new proposal. It had been discussed infor- ■ mally among councillors, more or less favourably, and was now submitted after duo consideration as fully warranted. "The proposal," -added the report, "is that it shall be an extension of the Grey Lynn lino • from • the' intersection at Surrey Crescent. . The total length is 1066yd5., and approximately half the cars on the Grey Lynn service would run to the Zoologival Gardens. The recommendation had been, influenced by another committee's proposal for a loan of £20,000 for development of the Zoological Gardens. . The tramways manager had submitted to the committee particulars of a device to be fitted on the sides of tramcars, between the bogies, for the purpose of safeguarding passengers and others, and with the object of eliminating accidents, the' estimated cos*, being about £25 per car. In view of the importance of safeguarding the public the committee recommended the adoption of the manager's recommendation. Works and Finance. The committee had given considerable attention to the financial position in relation to capital works and the revenue account, which had been closely contrailed, according with the council's direction. The position at present was satisfactory. Regarding finance and works in capital account tho position was as follows: —Great South Road extension, £85,000; ten cars, 170 to 179 inclusive, £31,000; cables—new feeders from Kingsland sub-station, £12,000; new feeders from Newmarket sub-station, £5000; Edendale extension and six cars, £69,000; Epsom depot, traffic premises, club room, and public office (tenders due March 22, 1923), £8000; new depotFreeman's Bay, first instalment, plans, etc., about May 1, tenders June. £54,000; magnetic tower control, Queen Street, £2000; total, £266,000. As regards loans, the balance of the 1919 loan of £1,250,000 was £3600; additional loan issued, £86,600; additional loan unissued, £35,000; payment from Power Board for site and plant, due in April, 1924, £125,000; a total of £250,200, leaving a deficiency of £15 - 800 - ■ ™ ■ A _ The manager of tramways, Mr. A. &. Ford stated that in the last three months there had been two accidents caused by passengers attempting to board cars in motion at the front platform, falling under the cars and being caught by the back bogey. The proposed device consisted of tee iron supports with wooden slots affixed to them, and' would tend to prevent such accidents. The adoption of the scheme was approved. ."''.,.