RAIL OR ROAD ?

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12074, 27 February 1925, Page 7

RAIL OR ROAD ?

ORIENTAL PARADE RENEWAL OF TRACK 0® BITUMEN ROAD DEBATED. COUNCIL TQ CONSIDER. Has the time arrived for the removal of the permanent tramway track in Oriental Bay? That was the question brought before the City Council last evening by Councillor T. Forsyth, chairman of the tramways committee. The paving plant was nearing the parade and something would have to be decided. It seemed almost as though they would hare to skip Oriental Bay and begin again at the Kiosk. The line ran perilously near the kerb at places. ■ HIGH COST. The cost of removing the track would be great. The 24-foot strip of bitumen was going round the parade.. and would have to be on the left-hand side going out. The cost of renewing the track would equal the dost of paving the road from kerb to kerb. This would make an enormous difference to the parade, which was entirely a residential. area, and he asked that the council should give special consideration to the facts and decide whether the line should be renewed or whether a bitumen road should be put down, the permanent way abandoned, and a trackless tram- run from the bay to Courtenay place. “MEETING JUSTIFIED.”

Councillor C. H. _ Chapman: I think that the position justifies a' special meeting of the committee concerned, and it should be held at once. The Mayor: That’s all very well, out where is the money to come from P Councillor Forsyth: The cost of renewing the trapk, I am assured by the officers, would be more than tht of putting down a bitumen road. The Mayor: I don’t know. At all events there is no provision in the schedule for this road to be paved. But I have no objection to calling a meeting of the tramways committee on the point. CANNY COURSE UPHELD.

Councillor J. Burns thought that the matter was one equally for theuworks committee and the tramways committee. It might he advisable to call a meeting of the whole council. At present they had no data to Work on. He would , like to be- sure that the rails had seen their best days before they were lifted. He knew that the rails were worn in places, but that applied all over the city, and there were many places which, had no transport at all. They should have a full meeting, and obtain a report from the engineer on the subject of ’bus and tram. The Mayor : I think that the matter is one for the tramways committee. ‘ The council then passed on to the consideration of other business.