TRAM FARES QUESTION

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8171, 12 July 1912, Page 1

TRAM FARES QUESTION

SUBURBAN INTERESTS DEPUTATION TO CITY COUNCIL. A deputation from Kilbirnic, Miramar, and Maranui waited upon the city council last night on the subject of tho proposed alteration in' tho tramway service. Mr J. .T. Clark (Kilbirnic) said a public meeting had been held at that, place on Monday evening, and a resolution was carried protesting generally against any alteration in the existing tramway system or the raising of tho fares hy way of shot-felling the sections. Meetings had, also been held at. Miramar and Scatonn, which had passed similar resolutions, and Maranui was also in opposition- to tho proposed drastic changes. Mr J. Brodio (Miramar; placed before tho council the position as it affected Miramar and its working classes, who could ill afford to pay higher faros in and out of tho city. Miramar was a young district, and settlement there should bo encouraged. Tho council’s desi ro some time ago was to get tho people into tho suburbs, and haring got them there it was now proposed to penalise them to tho extent of an additional fore. • Mr .T. R. Stansell (Lyall Bay) reminded the council that it had a valuable asset / in Lyall Bay, but fo increase (ho fares would detract from tho bay as a seaside resort. The residents had just formed ,-v bowling, club, by means of which they hoped to attract visitors; but tho raising' of tho fares would not help them. The, Mayor said it, was intended to bold a special meeting next week for tho purpose of going into , tho ~ tramway hoard’s report, and ho 'did - not want a decision ‘ arrived at before fully listening to deputations’ representations. That was why ho had asked them to attend that night. Ho- was certain that not a single councillor took any pleasure in asking tho people' to pay more, but it became a.matter of duty which they had to face at tho present time. Tho views of the deputation would receive ■ consideration.