OPERATING THE TRAMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19807, 30 November 1927, Page 12

OPERATING THE TRAMS.

A SUGGESTED SOLUTION. CONTROL BY POWER BOARD. VIEWS OF LOCAL BODIES. That, 11 jo .operation of the tramways system by the Auckland Electric-Power Board might solve the present transport difficulties and form the first instalment of the metropolitan hoard scheme for the better control of regional services was suggested by Mr. E. 11. Potter, Mayor cif Mount Eden, at a meeting of local body representatives last evening. The proposal found considerable support, hut the later trend of discussion revealed difficulties, particularly with regard to meeting the transport difficulties of the outer areas, which caused a motion on the subject to be withdrawn. Describing his plan as a suggestion to help the City Council out of a difficulty, Mr. Potter pointed out that certain areas served by tramways were not liable for rates for loans in connection with the undertaking, but the Power Board had rating authority over those areas Electric powei and tramway services were closely related and their joint administration should bo a success. Commending the suggestion, Mr. 1' Bloodworth pointed out that the Power Board had invested considerable money in machinery for the express purpose of supplying the tramways with power. Local bodies clamouring for transport had not expressed a willingness to shoulder financial liability, but if the tramways were taken over by the Power Board the responsibility for extensions would fall on the districts thus served. Proposal to Form Committee. " The. big difficulty is whether the City Council is willing to part with the tramway undertaking," added Mr. Bloodworth. lie still contended that if tram transport were put on a basis whereby the whole of the areas served shouldered the liability, the service would bo a distinct asset. Mr. Potter's suggestion seemed to open the way for surmounting a very difficult problem fairly quickly if both bodies concerned met the proposal in the right spirit.

" The outsido areas have been exceedingly well served by private enterprise," said Mr. W. L. Titchener, New Lynn. " The City Council never offered to help us when we had no services. It, pushed in, and now it lias bludgeoned us it can scarcely expect, to have a moral claim for our assistance." An appeal to view the question in a broad light was made by Mr. G. L. Taylor, Mount Eden. The proposal should considerably aid the big venture of establishing a metropolitan board. "There is not the slightest doubt a transport board will bo formed unless a substitute scheme like that proposed is brought under the notice of the Govern merit immediately," said Mr Gray Camp bell. Mr. Taylor moved that a committee should be set up to approach the City Council with a view to that body .uiivennig a meeting of local bodies to discuss the suggestion. If J,he proposal was approved, the Power Board could be approached Mr. R. G. Clark, Op Tree Hill, seconded. Withdrawal ol the Motion. " I want to make it clear that 1 am here as a representative of the citizens' committee fostering the metropolitan board," said Mr. \V, J. HoJdsworth lie doubted the wisdom of the motion It was understood that a commission was to bo set up to investigate the question of transport in the Auckland area, and. in view jf that, the preferable plan seemed to be to call a special meeting which could frame a case to be placed bofore the commission. Otherwise, it might be interpreted in certain quarters that the meeting was going beyond its bounds in passing the motion suggested. If we allow a transport board an i another licensing board to lie set up. those will be fresh hurdles for the metropolitan board to overcome before it can come into existence." remarked Mr Blood worth. Mr. Campbell said the motion offered no solution to the transport problem as it affected districts like Ellerslie, New Lynn and Henderson. " The quesiion seems to bristle with more difficulties the further we go into it," said Mr. Taylor, who asked leave to withdraw his motion. Mr. Potter: Personally, 1 think it would be a mistake to withdraw the motion It was decided, however, tuat the matter could not be further pursued in view of current developments, and leave to withdraw the motion was granted The opinion was eipressed that the discussion would serve a purpose in directing attention to a possible line for the solution of transport difficulties