THE NEW BRIGHTON TRAMWAY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6183, 10 March 1888, Page 3

THE NEW BRIGHTON TRAMWAY.

— „.-» The Proposed Beach Extension. A meeting of those interested in the extension of the New Brighton Tramway was held in Hobbs' Buildings at 4 p.m. yesterday. Mr T. S. Weston was voted to the choir. Present— Messrs P. J. Fryer, H. M'lntyre, — Barnes, H. Andrews, John Parry, C. Hulston, W. Brooks, H. Wagstaff, Gourley, and about twenty others. The Chairman explained that the meeting was called to consider the advisability cf getting the New Brighton Tramway extended southward towards Sumner. He pointed out the success the present line had been, and stated that if the residents of the district would support the scheme the Tramway Company, he had no doubt, would assist them. Mr M'lntyre stated that there was no proposal from the New Brighton Tramway Company to put before the meeting. The Company had commenced and carried on business under articles of association which empowered them, with the consent of their shareholders, to continue the line either to the northward or the southward of tbeir present line. At present the Company wished to know if the adjacent landowners thought they could find the capital. It was suggested that a new Company should be formed to do the work, and they thought that the meeting should have an opportunity of stating its willingness to share in the undertaking. No survey or estimates had yet been made. The following letter was read by the Chairman: — "Sir, — Be extension of the above tram line from the New Brighton Hotel along the beach towards Sumner, I desire to say I have been requested by | owners of properties in Eastbourne to go into the matter with a view of furnishing | the cost of constructing the same a distance of about fonr miles, the route being a question which may be discussed and, if possible, decided at the meeting which is now being called. I would, however, suggest it should be taken -.long the beach a short distance above high water mark. The cost of constructing this would be about JBBOO per mile. Should it, however, be taken down either of the first or second streets inland from the esplanade, I would suggest that owners of sections from the hotel going south should combine jointly for the purpose of levelling the whole area of sandhills indiscriminately at a given level, which should be taken from a permanent level of the esplanade, as at present it is to be regretted people are building in various directions at different heights, according to the present level of a Bmall portion of their respective sections, whereas eventually, when the belt of sandhills has been levelled to its permanent height, people who are so building at the present time will find their houses in many instances considerably lower than the permanent formation. With a view of warning owners against this, £ desire to say I am prepared to famish a schedule . price of levelling an area of not less than a given block at bo mnch per acre, which, if done in this, manner, would reduce the cost of levelling by nearly half the ordinary way in small sections, also of erecting any kind of fence at per chain; also the putting down of artesian wells, which is a very important!

-— — -— _ „ . „ , „ m „__ l^rT^*-* 1 r ■^■^-^a-gMgSgJMI'HBF-r-'r^^ ' ™ '' r^. consideration towards the immediate settlement of the sand, and what with the -mallest growth" of vegetation would rapidly form itself into a cultivatable state, the sewage farm to wit. The cost of this may be recovered, if required, in small payments, or a lien may be taken instead. t-I am, Sir, your obedient servant, "William Brooks, " Contractor, " Cashel street east." Mr H. Wagstaff thought that they had not properly considered how profitable the line might be made. He pointed out that the land for about 1} miles from the present terminus was in the possession of small holders, who would, doubtless, contribute towards the line. He thought tbat the project was really one that the landowners should take up and make a success. He moved — "That a Committee be appointed, if possible, for the purpose of constructing the line for the whole or part of the way of the proposed extension from the terminus to the mouth of the Estuary, the Committee to consist of Messrs S. Sinclair, H. L. Bowlker, P. J. Fryer, Prior, Bligh, M'lntyre, Hulston, and the mover." Seconded by Mr Smith. Mr Andrews asked if a new company would work with the old Company. He waß adverse to having the line in three companies. If the New Brighton Company could not take the scheme up it had better fall. Mr M'lntyre thought that the line could ba made by the Committee and leased to the New Srighton Tramway Company. Mr Gourley thought that the line should be constructed by the Committee under a guarantee from the existing Company. Mr Weston explained that the motion gave them power to arrange for the construction of the line. Mr M'lntyre anticipated that if the proposal was made by the Committee to the New Brighton Tramway Company, to take np snares in the old Company equal to the cost of the new line, the Company might consider the question. Mr Wagstaff would add to the resolution, '•' and report to a future meeting," and add the names of Messrs Weston and Hawker to the Committee. Mr Fryer said there would be 6ome initial difficulties to be settled between the parties, ona of which was if the line was made by the Committee outside the New Brighton Tramway Company, the question would arise, were the Committee to share in the profits of the whole line. The motion wa. put and carried. A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings.