TRAM TO BROOKLYN.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1510, 7 February 1901, Page 61

TRAM TO BROOKLYN.

DEPUTATION TO MELROSE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

A deputation consisting of Messrs James Reid and TV. iirunskiii (Island Bay) and F. Jennings, J. Rose and C. Burton (Brooklyn) waited upon, the Melrose Borough Council on tiie*29th to place before it for consideration certain facts in connection with the proposed tramway to Brooklyn and Island Bay. Mr James Reid briefly sketched the .steps that had been taken, by the burgesses of Island Bay with the object of instituting tramway communication, laying stress upon the fact that the City Council had refused to take immediate action. It was then decided to take steps to co-operate with the Brooklyn people in the matter or obtaining tramway communication via Brooklyn. A prominent engineer had favourably reported on the route, and had said that electric traction would be quite capable of giving- sufficient power to work a tramway system up Brooklyn hill. The speaker read a resolution passed by a meeting recently held at Brooklyn, that the Melrose Borough Council be asked to take the matter up and bring it to a successful issue. The deputation would, the speaker said, be prepared to assist tiie Council in every way. There was, he might say, a competent gentleman available to give a report upon the scheme generally; a gentleman who had gained a large practical experience of such work in Melbourne.

Councillor Jorgensen asked Mr Reid whether the Brooklyn residents were prepared to get a report from Mr Fulton os to the cost, or whether it was expected that the Council would pay for it ? Mr Reid said it would at present be impossible to give an accurate forecast of the cost. Mr Fulton thought as lie did —that £30,000 would be about the cost, buo he (Mr Fulton) said he could not estimate at present to within £SOOO less or more what would be the figure. Mr W. F. Jennings told the Council there was a general opinion prevalent in Brooklyn that a tramline was urgently needed, and that, the time was ripe for the Melrose Borough Council to underit- The speaker deprecated a discussion at that time as to the cost. The deputation was an irresponsible bod;/, and the Council would be quite right in spending a sum of money to get an authoritative report on the matter. The residents wefre prepared to be specially rated —that was quite understood. Councillor Keene thought the Council should appoint a committee to confer wit ft the committee appointed by the Brooklyn and Island Bay residents. Councillor Clark deprecated any further discussion at that time.

Councillor Walter asked the deputation generally if it was prepared to guarantee £l5O towards the cost of an inquiiy.. An answer was given in the affirmative..

The Mayor pointed out that a Tramway Committee already existed in the Council. Ho would move, “That the resolutions or the public meeting be referred to the Tramways Committee, with instructions to give effect to the resolution re tramways presented by the deputation to the Council, with power to obtain expert and other evidence, such evidence to be presented to the Council as early as nossibie.”

Councillor Jorgensen asked if there v/as any provision made whereby the committee would have power to expend funds.

The Mayor said that a vote of £2O had been placed at its disposal when it was appointed.

Councillor Brown thought it would be undesirable tor the Melrose Borough Council to move in the matter of tramvyay communication until the City Council brought down its tramway proposals. He would like the Council to approach the city body and find out its intentions. The Mayor pointed out that the proposals of the City Council were in a forward condition, and that the two bodies were in touch

Councillor Nicol stated his intention to move that any reference to the public meeting be eliminated from the motion.” It was not right to tie the hands of the Council by binding its comrnittee to the views expressed at the public meeting. The amendment of Councillor Brown was incorporated m the Mayor's motion, which was then carried.

An amendment, moved by Councillor huilford and seconded by Councillor Brown, “That that committee of the Council be required to meet on Friday next,'’ was negatived by six to three.