ST. KILDA TRAMWAYS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13945, 3 July 1907, Page 3

ST. KILDA TRAMWAYS

DEED OP DELEGATION TO BE SIGNED

IN ITS OLD FORM.

At last evening's meeting of the St. Kilda Council, Cr Goto moved, in accordance with notice of motion given at last meeting, that tho following resolution in the minutes of August 15, 1905, be rescinded—" That this council refuse to sign the deed of delegation until a clause be inserted therein to th® effect that- should any tramway concessions be given to any other borough or to any area now forming part of tho City of Dunedin, and which was formerly a separate borough, tho same concession be given to this borough," Cr Allen seconded.

Cr Scanlan- said the passing of that motion practically meant that tho deed was to bo signed in its old form, thus binding thom down to a 2d fare to the Ocean Bcacli for all time. Other boroughs or areas might in tho future have their fares reduced, and St. Kilda's inability to participate in such reductions be used as a lever for amalgamation' with the city. Cr Ashton said that, as regarded amalgamation with the city, they were not looking for Buch. Amalgamation. on the part of South Dunedin had meant that- one ratepayer's rate 3 had been increased by £2 per year. His own had been increased to the extent of £1. The rescinding of''the motion practically meant tho signing of the old deed. Cr Gore,'speaking to his motion, said they had had various complaints from ratepayers as to the manner in which the trams wero run in St. Kilda Borough. "When tbe deed camo lip for signature by St. Kiida Council thero was a clamour on the part of certain ratepayers that .now formed part of Greater Dunedin for a reduction in tramway fares, It was then thought such reductions might bo granted to those'localities, and St. Kilda wished to 1 benefit in the same degree. But there hod been immense trouble in the eSort to obtain a clauso making provision for the granting of similar concessions in tbe deed. A deputation had waited 011 the City Council and received an absolute assurance, but 110. thing in writing, that such a clause would be inserted, but when the matter came to be signed all knowledge of it was denied, and the City Council said it had no recollection of any such assurance, The trains were not running now according to the' Order-in-Coun-cii, and until this deed was signed St. Kilda Council would havo 110 control whatever over their running. An accident might, occur and the council he mulcted in heavy expenditure. They had done a good deal to have 1 tilt clause inserted, and having failed, the next thing to do was to have the deed signed, although' it did mean that they were committing themselves to a twopenny faro to the Ocean Beach for all time. The motion was carried, Crs Ashton and Scanlan dissenting. A suggestion by Cr Scanlan that a clause be inserted to the effect that, if at any time St. Kilda' amalgamated with Dunedin, any

concessions that other boroughs or areas might linvo received in the meantime be also granted to St. Kilda on amalgamation failed to find a seconder, and was withdrawn. Cr Gore then 'moved—" That tho borough solicitor be instructed to complete the deed of delegation in the form last agreed upon by the council, and that the council waive its claim to tho insertion of the provision relating to fares.!' This was seconded and carried, Cr Scanlan alone dissenting.