THE MORNINGTON TRAMWAY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12602, 4 March 1903, Page 6

THE MORNINGTON TRAMWAY.

I At last evening's meeting of tho Morning- . ton Borough Council the following report i was submitted by the Tramways Committee:— I lie tramway sheds and plant were burnt i , on the morning of tho 9th February, ant! immediately thereafter your committee met, and made application to be given immediate possession, with a view to instituting a, temporary servieo as quickly as possible. Ihey regret- that they were unablo to induce tho company to fall in with their views, and i a subsequent application was equally fruitloss. Immediately thereafter, at tho'request of a number of ratepayers, a public meeting was called, at which resolutions were passed intended to strengthen the hands of the council, and these resolutions tfill come before you to-night. In order, however, thatj no time might be lost, your committee arranged with the Tramway Company for a waiver of notice, so as to immediately bring the dispute between the arbitrators as to the appointment of an umpire before, tho judge for settlement. Tho judge refused to appoint the nominee of tho company's arbitrator, and unfortunately referred tho matter hack to the arbitrators to see if they could agree to another name. Since then Mr Hay, Die company's arbitrator, refused to act any further, and the company have now appointed Mr Fred. Cutten, and there . the matter stands. AVo hone in a few days Mr Roberts and Mr Cutteu may appoint (lioir umpire and proceed with the valuations." Tho Mayor thought the resolutions passed at tho meetiin'4 of ratepayers (which he procoedod to read) should receive some recognition. Pretty well the wholo of the Tramway Committee had endeavoured to get tho drag proprietors to put on a, more frequent service to Mornington, and he had said he would do so if they would guarantee him the exclusive right to the road, but they could not see their way to do that. He then said he would put on a more frequent service if they would guarantee him tho right for six weeks, and, as things had fumed out, they might have dono so. Ho (the Mayor) was afraid there was 110 chance of doing anything with him. Cr Reynolds said he was informed that it was intended to stop the drags altogether after Saturday. Cr Wood said that was not correct. Tho proprietor had told liiin he was perfectly satisfied, but could not give a more frequent service, because to do so ho would havo to purchase another drag. i Cr Reynolds expressed the opinion that it was a mistake for the-drags not to run up Stafford street, as they did before. The Mayor: Yes, hut (lie Stafford street cab was a very slow affair. I hope within , the next week wo may see daylight ahead. J ' Cr Wood said that with regard to the | resolutions passed at the public meeting, it j , would ba well if the committee placed the i gist of it before the solicitor in order to get additional advice, anil the suggestion was j supported by Cr Anderson. | Cr Wills did not agree with tho sugges- | tion, whon negotiations were proceeding. ! ' Cr _ Wood said tho ratepayers had made certain recommendations, and the council wanted to be in the position of being able to answer them. They did not seem satis- , fietl, and the council should show them they ! wore doing all that was possible in order that matters might>bc carried out properly. He moved that in view of the resolution passed by the ratepayers on the 20th February, tho council deem it advisable to satisfy them as to the position of the council in relation to (lie contract by asking their solicitor to consult with another solicitor, ( and sn obtain a further oninion. This was not intended in any degree as a threat", but, under tho circumstances, he thought it was j desirable that the position of the council should be made clear to the ratepayers. | The motion was seconded by Cr Anderson, ; and. the Tramways Committee's report j having been adopted, the council proceeded to the next business.