The Daily News TUESDAY, MAY 6, 1930. TRAMWAY LOAN PROPOSALS

Taranaki Daily News, 6 May 1930, Page 8

The Daily News TUESDAY, MAY 6, 1930. TRAMWAY LOAN PROPOSALS

I ■ e 1 ’ Like many municipalities where rapid progress has succeeded a long period of slow growth, New Plymouth is finding it necessary to remedy the results of what now seems to have been a lack of foresight in providing for public services. It is difficult for those who know the town only as it is to-day to understand the perplexities that confronted the “city father” of earlier days, who had only the very limited expansion of previous years to in-dicate-the future progress that might be anticipated. Criticism is easy, but the rectification of what have proved errors of judgment in the past is a long drawn out and costly undertaking. Had matters' such as drainage, water supply, and tramway services been han’dled with broader visioM when the services were instituted, the borough would not to-day be facing the high cost of rendering them adequate to the needs of an expanding population. The proposed extensions of the tramways, for which loans totalling £16,700 are suggested, give an instance of the results which follow too timid an outlook in municipal undertakings and show what a load may' be left for posterity to shoulder for the sake of apparent economy for the time being. It is safe to say that the greater part of the increase in rates during the 'past few years may be traced to the inadequacy of public services that are- demanded by any progressive community and are essentia? to its development. Though it is true that this inadequacy must be rectified wherever possible, it is equally true that economic conditions today necessitate that every project for which the ratepayers’ ’ sanction is asked should be able to justify itself. If not immediately self-supporting it .should show that it will become so within a reasonable time, or that it will eliminate or reduce what is at present wasteful expenditure. The proposed tramway extensions would seem to comply with these conditions. The Westown tramway as it exists is a truncated development. It serves but a limited portion of that suburb, though all the ratepayers residing beyond its terminus pledged themselves with others in the borough to a rate, if necessary, for its establishment and upkeep. It is possible that with an alteration in policy returns from the present 'Westown tram might be increased. What is certain is that at present it is necessary to run a bus service side by side with the tram, but extending beyond it to Upper Westown. For two-thirds of the journey the bus takes passengers that could as easily travel by tram and may be considered to reduce the tramway revenue accordingly. In other words, two services are maintained where one would suffice. Moreover, if the bus service is to continue a new vehicle costing £l6OO must be purchased forthwith, the alternative being the reduction of the bus services to Westown and other suburbs. The extension of the tramway is. estimated to cost £11,200 and the yearly financial position has been forecasted by the tramways manager (Mr. G. J. Wyatt). He anticipates an increase in tram expenditure of £1264 and a loss of bus revenue of £4lB, equalling a total increase in expenses of £1682. Against this, if the tram is extended, £723 will be saved in expenses of running the present bus service, £4OO will not have to be found for charges on a new bus, and the tram will earn £7OO more. In other words the extension of the tramway should result in a saving of £l4l in the cost and give a better transport service to Upper Westown. If these figures may be relied upon, and there is no reason to doubt their accuracy, ratepayers should feel no trepidation in supporting the loan proposal. Though a rate must be pledged as security for the loan there is little likelihood of it being actually levied, and it is a well-known fact that nothing quickens suburban development so much as a satisfactory transport system. There is reason to hope, therefore, despite the tendency of tramway revenue to decrease, that the Upper Westown service will show better returns as development proceeds. The second loan proposal is to expend £5500 in further duplication of the main tramline between Fitzroy and Moturoa. This is to speed up the service, making it more- attractive in the hope of increasing its earnings and at the same time facilitating cheaper working by making easier the adoption of more “one man” ears. Savings in this direction are estimated at £9OO a year, so that it is hardly likely that a rate will have to be levied to meet interest and sinking fund on a loan of £5500. Ratepoym’s are really asked to sane-'

tion public works which will give them better service without any addition to the rates and will avoid the necessity of purchasing at once another bus. The proposition seems sound enough to command support, even at a time when local authorities must display more than ordinary prudence in expenditure upon new works.