AUCKLAND TRANSPORT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19916, 9 April 1928, Page 10

AUCKLAND TRANSPORT.

COMMISSION'S INQUIRY, THE ORDER OF REFERENCE. PRINCIPAL BODIES PLEASED* The lpcal authorities interested in the coming inquiry into Auckland's passenger transport problems appear to be well satisfied with the personnel of the commission set up by the Government, and with its order of reference. . Briefly, the commission is to inquire into the following matters:—(l) The working of the present tramway system; (2) the effect locally of the Motor Omnibus Traffic Act and other traffic legislation; (3) the suitability of motor omnibus transport, in conjunction with tramways or otherwise, to Auckland conditions; (4) the most suitable form of transport for the outer suburbs and how it should be owned arid controlled; (5) the desirability or otherwise of establishing a transport board to acquire or control existing services. The inquiry is to include in its scope the Auckland isthmus, together with the borough of Otahuhu and the New Lynn, Glen Eden and Henderson town districts, and such other suburban areas, exclusive of North Shore, as the commission may decide. The Mayor of Auckland, Mr. G. Baildon, when asked for his opinion, said the order of reference appeared to be comprehensive and satisfactory. Ho bad no desire to comment on tho personnel of the commission. Tram and Bus Services. Mr. J. A. C. Allum, chairman of the Auckland City Council's Tramways Committee, expressed his satisfaction with the order of reference, which, he said, should be wide enough to meet the wishes of all concerned. Tho City Council believed in the transportation policy it had adopted and followed, and it was prepared to defend that policy. "However, it desired the opinion of the commission on the following questions: Are tho tramways being efficiently and properly run? Should the council provide tramway extensions or feeder-bus services, or both ? Should buses bo allowed to run parallel with tramlines, either wholly or in part ? By whom should tramways and buses be controlled and operated 1 These, ho felt sure, came well within the order of reference. It was also satisfactory that the operation of the Motor Omnibus Traffic Act had been brought into the inquiry. The City Council, said Mr. Allum, hoped the commissioners would be able to give real help in solving the traffic problems of- Auckland. The chairman, Mr. J. S. Barton, S.M., was a qualified accountant, and should bo in a position to deal with tho financial questions that would arise. Mr, W. G. T. Goodman was a leading Australian authority on tramway systems, an engineer, and a man of strong personality. Mr. Alfred Edward was a retired Sydney police officer of high standing and long experience in controlling all forms of traffic. Ho was not in any sense a tramway man. Having dealt with transportation problems in cities much larggr than Auckland, these gentlemen should bo well qualified to give assistance in the present difficulties. . The Outer Suburban Districts. Mr. E. H. Potter, Mayor of Mount Eden, who has acted as spokesman for the suburban local bodies with respect to transf ort, said the inquiry, to be of any value, must cover the whole of the Auckland heavy traffic district, extending from Helensville to Mercer. The reason was that with the advent of concrete roads and electricity the outer areas were becoming rapidly s'ettled and needed good and cheap transportation- . It would not be sufficient if the commission dealt only with the needs of the tramway area; -the outer . suburbs had much more urgent problems than those near the city. In particular they wanted efficient bus services capable of taking people rapidly.to and from the city without the need of changing at the tram termini. The order of reference did not specifically include all the outer districts, but he presumed they could be brought in under the discretionary power given to tho commission. He also felt the present long-dis-tance car services running into and out of Auckland should be placed under review. He was glad the inquiry definitely included the transport board proposal. Mr. Potter mentioned the suburban bodies would be represented before the commission by four counsel, Messrs. V. R. Meredith, E. H. Northcroft, H. M. Rogerson and J. M. Melville.