TRAMWAY EXTENSIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19743, 16 September 1927, Page 10

TRAMWAY EXTENSIONS.

The two petitions for tramway extensions presented to the City Council last evening were inevitable sequels to recent events. That from Point Chevalier comes because the proposal for it was lost in the defeat of the recent loan poll. Avondale's petition promptly follows incorporation of the former borough in the city. Appeals for schemes of this size suggest that the council could with advantage attack the problem of future extensions in a new way. • It would be a good principle to establish that numbers of items involving capital expenditure should no longer be grouped, classed as a single enterprise, and put to the test collectively. One project at a time, with costs, construction difficulties, probable early return and possible value in city development all carefully estimated, tested to the highest point of accuracy attainable, would be an excellent policy, likely to meet the approval of the ratepayers, who have shown themselves justifiably chary of approving heavy outlay on the transport services. The very instances provided by the two petitions illustrate the need for careful examination of each distinct from the other. Both districts can state impressive oases based on heavy progress in house-building, with ample room left for further development. Yet Avondale, distinct from Point Chevalier, may, before long be affected by railway developments. The new northern outlet, shortening the distance between the suburbs on the railway, accompanied very probably by electrification of the services, may yet influence passenger transport profoundly. As long as it is in prospect the council is justified in considering tramway extensions over long distances, where the railway competes, very cautiously. These considerations do not demand that the prayers of the petitioners should be summarily rejected, merely that they should be regarded from every possible angle before any decision is given by the council.