ACCESS TO KELBURN

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11250, 30 June 1922, Page 5

ACCESS TO KELBURN

TRAMS ON UPPER HEIGHTS raroa road versus upland ROAD. DEPUTATION TO CITY COUNCIL. A deputation of about a hundred repreaientatiLves of the Karori Progressive Association and the Northlariu Ratepayers’ Association, waited on the City Council last evening to advocate the corjetructi-on of a. shorter tramway route to the upper and outer heights of the city. The deputation was introduced by Councillor J. Burns, who pointed out that the tramways investigation committee had recently recommended —and the council had adopted the suggestion —a review of the Ka-rori road route. Air F. W. Manton, otl behalf of the Northland body, said that the promise of better access made by Sir John Luke during hi 6 term of office had not been fulfilled; the loan proposals had been brought down without the inclusion of this urgent work. Air Alan toil stressed | the disabilities under which the residents were labouring, and urged the provision of tramway access Kelburn. The people of Karori. and Northland had been astounded when the Raroa road proposal was brought down. He pointed out that large tracts of land were yet unopened in the district-, waiting till better access was provided. It had been stated in the Press that if the Raroa road scheme was not accepted no other facilities would ‘be given. # The Mayor: Oh no; the council did not say that. Air Alanton: I said in the Press. In conclusion, Air Alanton pointed out that a line suggested by the deputation would open up land; which would later be a great asset to the city. They were absolutely determined to secure whiat they were -asking, and intended to make a firm stand in the matter. Air W. T. Hildreth, president of tho Karori Progressive Association, said there could be no differing opinions concerning the advisability of the city purchasing the Ivelburn trams. He quoted figures in support of his argument tJiat the purchase of the Kelburn car a.ud the construction of a line across Kelbum would be a good financial proposition for the council. He submitted that the suggestion was a practical one, and that it was in the beet interests of the city and of the residents of the upper heights. Mr D. McLaren, representing the Civic League, said that people in other parts of the city were in sympathy with the proposal, and stressed the importance of extending the residential area of the city. The Alayor; Seeing that the ratepayers carried! the Raroa road scheme and not this one, how would you suggest we should out of our difficulty ? Mr McLaren confessed he was not in a position to make an alternative suggestion. The deputation considered that if the question were again put to a poll it would be defeated in favour of the Kelbum route. In reply to Councillor P. Eraser, M.P., Air Hildreth said the deputation would be perfectly satisfied' if the council abandoned the Raroa- road scheme, and referred the alternative suggestion to the ratepayers. The Alayor (Mr R. A. Wright, M.P.j said he was very glad to hear the last statement. The council dare not divert the money voted for the Raroa road scheme. The oouncil realised the necessity for a shorter route to Karori, and was quite willing to meet the wishes of the people and do what was fair and just to tl*e community. It would never do to lay tracks oyer Ivelburn without firsrb of all purchasing the Kelburn tram. The council had the matter in hand, having adopted a suggestion that the Rar<£t road route should be reviewed. He thanked the deputation for the temperate manner in which it had approached the council. It was quite in contrast with the spirit of a meeting recently held at Kelburn, when some sharp remarks had been made. The matter was referred bo the tramways committee for consideration.