TEAM FARES TO ST. CLAIR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13449, 24 November 1905, Page 8

TEAM FARES TO ST. CLAIR.

TO THE EDITOE. Sir,-It is surprising to mo that the inhabitants of St. Clair have remained dormant and passive so long as they have under such an injustice in comparison with other suburbs in tho matter of tram fares. I am ashamed to find "that in this progressive age in a city like Dunedin we should have municipal management so deaf, dead, and waterlogged to its own interests as to discourage and debar a large portion of the community from visiting ti.e prettiest suburb around, Dunedin, and tile only really attractive health resort we have available. Tho Creator seems to have lavished attractions in the way of natural configuration: Sandhills, a beautiful beach—the second beach a colossal amphitheatre only waiting a Jittle artistic arrangement to accommodate thousands to enjoy themselves in the purest of atmosphere. Why, it would pay to run a few ears daily in fine weather for nothing, at least from an hygienic standpoint. Threepenny fares are prohibitive for thousands of our community who, if the fares were reduced by half, or

even less, would no doubt frequently patronise the route. I would reduce the fares to ladies with children—not in arms, and say tinder 12 years of age—to one penny anil halfpenny respectively; then you would see a boom iii traffic. Instead of cars running half empty they would soon require to double their •number—and double their revenuo as a result, and add considerably to the municipal' revenue by the empty'houses being filled, and'an augmentation to the population by filling up the vacant residential areas;

I think our council might safely take a leaf out. of Sir J. (1 Ward's postal book (penny postage) and reduce the fares any distance within the city boundary to one penny, cliarging 5d to any suburb beyond.

What between tho workers', homes system, high rates, expensive tram travelling, the half of the city houses will soon be empty. Then down will .come the rental value, down will come the municipal revenue, and down wi" come th« security for present and future loans.

I reckon wo have a few gentlemen in the constitution of the council possessed of progressive ideas, and wonder they do not rise up in indignation and assert their views in this direction and undo an egregious blunder. The position is unbearable.'

I am r.ot a resident of St. Clair. I have no axe to grind further than that I don't want, my property, along with that of others 111 the city, depreciated by municipal management.—l am, etc., Onward.