BUS SERVICE OPPOSED

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1074, 11 September 1930, Page 7

BUS SERVICE OPPOSED

BiRKENHEAD-NORTHCOTE PROPOSAL ALREADY WELL SERVED The application of the Marine Suburbs Bus Company to run a bus service from Highbury Corner, Birkenhead, to the Xorthcote Wharf, via Onewa Street, was opposed by the Birkenhead Borough Council at its meeting last evening. The following resolution is to be forwarded to the No. 2 Licensing Authority: “That this council, having given lengthy consideration to the question, resolves strenuously to oppose the granting of the licence on the grounds that the area is well entered for at present, and there is no necessity for granting the licence; and further, that if the licence were granted it would seriously affect and wreck the existing service.” Mr. T. Smith, manager of the Marine Bus Company, in his application for support from the council, claimed that the advantage of the proposed service would be the connection by road service of the two boroughs and a service through portions of both boroughs which, though thickly populated, are unserved by transport facilities; also the saving of a great amount of time by Highbury parsengers. ranging from five to 35 minutes a trip, the average saving being about 12 minutes. Mr. Smith attended the meeting in support of his application, and stated that the fare would be higher than that now charged by the companies running to the Birkenhead Wharf. Mr. J. Batty, a representative of tho residents and ratepayers’ association, said it would be detrimental to Birkenhead to support the licence as it would be diverting the public to Northcote, to the latter's advantage. It would also disorganise the present bus company, which was giving good service-

After a ’ong discussion in committee, the above resolution was passed and the Mayor, with the borough solicitor will attend the meeting of the No. 2 Licensing Authority to support the resolution.