TRAM TRACK REPAIRS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19860, 2 February 1928, Page 12

TRAM TRACK REPAIRS.

THE MOUNT ALBERT ROUTE. RESPONSIBILITY FOR PAYMENT. With a view to placing the responsibility for repairing the tram tracks on the Mount Albert route, Mr. J. A. C. Allum, chairman of .the Tramways Committee of the City Council, and Mr. A. E. Ford, tramways manager, will shortly confer with the Mount Albert Borough Council. A communication from tho Mount Alljert Council was received by the Tramways Committee yesterday. It called upon the City Council to make specified repairs to the tracks within 28 days, in default of which the work would be done by the Mount Albert Council at tho city's expense. It was stated the tracks were in pla.ces worn away, making conditions dangerous, and that loose metal and bad hoilows required attention. With regard to tho route between Page's store and the Morningside Bridge, Mr. B'ord said the only efficient Way of dealing with the tracks was to reconstruct them. The estimated cost of the work was £l{i y 7oo, but no funds were available this financial year. He recommended, however, that the work should be carried out next year if the finance could be arranged. A patching gang had recently effected temporary repairs. With regard to the track beyond the Morninside bridge, Mr. Ford said the condition of the tramway margins was the result of the contractors' wolk on the carriageways. The foundations under the ends of the sleepers had been disturbed and the paving had not been properly reinstated. Mount Albert should be called upon to make the margins good. Mr. »3. Irwin Crookes desired to know the amount for which the Mount Albert Council would be responsible. Mr. Ford said that under tho deeds of delegation the brough was liable for placing the tracks in proper order as the road levels had been altered, thus causing the tram tracks to be some distance above the road. However, if new rails were laid, he did not expect that could bo charged to the borough. It was decided to hold a conference with a view to solving the question of responsibility.