TRADE IN NEWMARKET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20518, 20 March 1930, Page 14

TRADE IN NEWMARKET.

COMPLAINTS OF. DECREASE.

NEW TRAM STOPS BLAMED.

COUNCIL REFUSES ALTERATION

A statement that the trade of Newmarket had recently declined by onethird was contained in a petition of business men presented to the Newmarket Borough Council last evening. The council was asked to move the tramway stop on tho inward line on the western side of Broadway, not to the position it occupied formerly, but to the city side of Station Street, near the centre of the shopping block. "Wo are all shopkeepers and like all other shopkeepers have recently been feeling the pinch in tho business world." said Mr. George Marriott, in presenting the petition. "We feel that Newmarket is getting more than its share of the bad times, owing to the present position of the tram stops."

Turnovers of Shops. Mr. Marriott said that if people travelling by tramcar on the inward line alighted in the centre of Broadway the business conditions of the whole of Neto market would be improved. It was suggested that the stop should be pjaced in the centre of the shopping block, with a compulsory stop for road traffic. A safety zone was not asked for. After the petition had been signed it had been intended to take it to the Auckland Transport Board, but it was thought wise to submit it first to the council. After two other speakers had supported Mr. [Marriott, speaking on the same lines, the latter read the petition, stating that the 152 signatories contributed 70 per cent, of the rates collected in the borough. In the petition it was stated that the turnover in the shops and businesses in Newmarket was at present 33 1-3 per cent, below normal. This statement was challenged by the Mayor, Mr. S. Donaldson, who asked if this falling-ofl in business was felt by all the signatories. Mr. Marriott stated that the figure was an average taken from all those with whom the matter had been discussed at a meeting. Their estimates were from 5 per cent, to 50 per cent. The position had been found to be far more serious than had been anticipated. The average was regarded as a conservative one. Other Shopping Centres.

"Who told you that these petitioners paid 70 per cent, of the rates ?" asked the Mayor.

Mr. Marriott replied that he had no definite information. It was merely the impression he had formed. Mr. W. Hughes asked whether it was not a fact that the growth of shopping centres in the outer suburban areas, such as in the Great South Road and at the Remuera terminus, had not accounted for the business conditions in Newmarket.

Mr. Marriott agreed with this. After the deputation had withdrawn the council considered the matter in committee and passed a resolution stating that it was of the opinion that the present temporary depression of trade was not caused by the position of the existing tram stops, but that it was general in Auckland. In Newmarket contributing causes were the removal of the railway workshops and the growth of the outer suburbs at the expense of the inner areas. The council decided to take - steps toward changing the stops and to inform the deputation that it would be prepared to review the position at the end of next January.