A DISTRICT'S WANTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12776, 21 October 1919, Page 6

A DISTRICT'S WANTS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—Might I crave the space for ai few lines in the hope this may be the means of airing a very serious grievance the people of my district have in respect of the tram service and of slot telephones? The district I refer to is the Richmond, Shirley and part of the St Albans district. Take as the dividing line from the rest of Christchurch the following:—Bealey Street, Be a icy Avenue from Bealey Street to T.ondou Street, thence alona London Si root to Stanmore Road, Stanmore Road to North Avon Road and the district around and fcevond North Avon Road for a reasonable distance each way. Now let us look at the tram service meted out to this large and populous district. One has only to take a few, rides on the No. 10 cars to realise what disadvantages these uncomplaining residents are suffering. Certainly a few of those who live more in a westerly direction can use the No. 2 Car, but these few only represent a small percentage of the total people concerned- The writer has only been resident in the district for six months, but feels more competent to speak on + he subject owing to bavins had exnerienco of the following districts:—Linwood Central, St Alban? Central. Merivale and Fondalton. These parts are fed bv the following trams:—Linwood Central, Nos. o, 6, 7 and 10 (four separate services); St Albans Central, Nos 2 and 11 (two separate sendees); Merivale and Fendalton, by Nos. 1 and 9 rev spectively. Now let us observe the routes taken by these above-mentioned trams, Nos. 1. 2. 5, 6, 7, 0, 10 and 11. They are all what may bo described as “direct” or “short” routes, with the exception of No. 10, which., it must bo confessed, takes the most devious course after leaving North Avon Road that could bo possibly imagined; whilst people from Slater Street, Hills Eoad, Stapletons Road, etc., are either walking to town, investing in bicycles, taking the No. 10 jov ride through Richmond and Linwood, following a procession of tramnars alona Worcester Street, or, what is worse, patronising the No. 2 car, thus making the No. 2 ear appear more profitable than it really is. There is a lot of talk regarding a proposed extension of the No. 2 tram along Warrington Street, and Shirley Road linking with the No. 10 service at the C. nal Reserve corner. How much or this talk is fast I know not, but should it bo fact I should here like to suggest that the Tramway Board link on a few cattle and stock trucks to convey stock to the saleyards from this thick faming district. Why, sir, the district is practically composed of open, paddocks beyond Warrington Street 1 Would it not be far better to run the No. 10 car along North Avon Road. Sheen Street, Hills Road,, North Belt, Cornhill Street, over the Barbadoes Street bridge and along Oxford Terrace to Manchester Street, and into the Square via Worcester Street? This route would feed the large town district in and around Barbadoes, Madras, Kilmore and Chester .Streets, and the river terraces, in addition to the vast improvement on the No. 10 route. The Stanmore Road car could still be run, say, from Gelling’s store, along Stanmore Road and Worcester Street, only let this route share the trips equally with the present Nos. 6 and 9. An important extension could bo + hen nut on the No. 10 route at Hills Road or Slater Street corner, taking a route “ where the district is thickly populated ” as far as, say. Shirley Road. When Shirley Road district becomes more thickly populated, 1 would tliea suggest that the landowners.be patronised bv a tram service, but not until the land is patronised should the v: lues be suddenly enhanced. Others have cut up and sold land under much worse conditions, and it is only right that those who make the district should be considered. There are other districts I know which are equally deserving, and other suggestions will be welcomed, I feel sure, but we must not wait until the eleventh hour, as the Tramway Board may even now bo considering alterations and extensions, now that men avd materials are more available. Let us now consider what a “,'ibo'nl allowance” of slot ‘phones has been allotted to the district. We possess one box in Stanmore Road, about ti.reo minutes’ walk from the bridge. In this box is a small flickering light burning to the accompaniment of a most peculiar ticking, noise- Without further comment I would refer you to this “ infernal machine,” hut should you wish to use the same on an urgent niece <T business it would bo wise to wait until tile now post office is built on a ’site purchased for that purpose (a post office for Richmond!) situate at the cor ner of Stanmore and North Avon Roads.—thanking you, I am, etc., thought.