A COUNTERBLAST

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 994, 10 June 1930, Page 1

A COUNTERBLAST

MORE HEARD OF TRAMS IN ALBERT STREET VOICE OF WEST SIDE A* a counterblast to Queen Street traders and ratepayers who have opposed the trams-in-Aibert Street scheme, a large deputation, representing the West of Queen Street Development Association, attended at the Transport Board this morning. The association was. in effect, prime mover in the scheme, having waited on the board months ago. Introducing the deputation, Mr. A. J. Hutchinson, director of the association, mentioned that the “invasion” i was so large that it extended down the stairs and into the street. “You will remember that our first deputation, which waited on you did not demand trams in Albert Street.'’ remarked Mr. Hutchinson. “It made a request that the board should ask the manager, Mr. A. E. Ford, to consider the question of trams in Albert Street, and if trams in Albert Street fitted in with his plans for extension of the service, to let us know. This request was granted; we waited ently. In due course Mr. Ford brought forward a scheme —said trams in Albert Street did fit in with his plans, and we are in duty bound to support him —and willingly do so because we believe that it is a sound business-like proposal. “Unfortunately by some means ©r other the proposed plans were made public before he had been given the opportunity to explain his scheme — before this board had considered same. SHOCKED “The result of this was that a section of the Queen Street shop owners were shocked —horrified —at such an outrage being proposed—the removal of any trams—one possible Queen Street shopper being landed in Albert Street. A deputation to the board was arranged. It was and is suggested that a vote of no-confidence in the proposal of Mr. Ford be carried. It was a preposterous idea,” the speaker commented. “Rates might drop, the values of the properties be reduced, the City ruined and the cost of living affected. In short, ruination faced Queen Street. Without waiting for Mr. Ford to disclose his full extension plan, a second deputation waited on the City Council ar.d asked them to discipline this board, or, if they could not do so, to put into action that latest cudgel, the Town Planning Act. “Now, we suggest that Albert Street is entitled to just as much consideration as Queen Street, just as much entitled to a tram service «ls Queen Street. Hobson Street. Anzac Avenue or any other street. We say also that the logical development o t Auckland City shopping centre is Queen Street, Albert Street, Hobson Street—not one but three streets. SOME REMEDIES—LIGHTLY “I would suggest,” continued Mr. Hutchinson, in light vein, “that if the Queen Street shopowners really desire to consolidate —improve Queen Street as a shopping centre—they will use every endeavour to reduce the trams, secure less noise, restrict canned music, aim for less congestion, have the centre poles removed. The slogan should be, ‘Auckland’s Silent Shopping Street.* Get together to improve the lighting, get rid of the ‘cheap jack' shops, the ‘to let' signs, improve the pavement and get rid of the pools in the street. Or, if they don’t like thie plan. let them have all the trams; park them all the way up and down the street, end to end; provide little bridges like they do in the railway carriages, so that the people can walk up and down the street through the tram cars; or they could have doubledeckers with side bridges across; strengthen the verandahs and have second-floor entrances, or make it a one-way motor traffic street; put another tram track down, one line in two out, to enable the shoppers to carry their parcels home with them. And the result will be slowly but surely a city will grow up and extend round Queen Street. LEAVE IT TO MR. FORD “We suggest leaving it to Mr. Ford,** concluded the speaker. “This board has a duty to perform. First to consider and debate with the manager his plans, decide In conjunction with him what is best, then to support him. I can assure you of our support. Unfortunately, the proposed plans were disclosed before this was done, arid now the board finds itself in the position of having to pass a vote of no confidence in Mr. Ford’s plans, and admit tho Queen Street shopowners know better than he does how to manage and extend the tram services.” “The facts as you have produced them are so conclusive that it is rather surprising there should be any opposition.” said Mr. R. A. Laldlaw. “It has been suggested that our association Is actuated by selfish motives. If so, it is fortunate that our proposals should appeal to so large a circle—the Transport Board, the public and the business men over a wide area. Purely this is a commendation for the Albert Street outlet rather than the reverse. “That there is already serious traffic congestion in Queen Street is so apparent that a number of suggestions to relieve it have been brought forward as counter proposals to your own. For instance, it has been suggested that the top and bottom ends of Queen Street should be made termini and the trams eliminated from Queen Street, but with the future growth of population and traffic this will simply result in making each end of Queen Street a bottle-neck where congestion will become worse than ever. The only logical solution is an outlet running parallel with Queen Street with a number of connecting streets that will tap the traffic at several points. Such a street is not to be found on the eastern side, but Albert Street meets the requirements fully. (Continued on Page 10.)