TRAMWAY CONCESSIONS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18008, 19 November 1926, Page 6

TRAMWAY CONCESSIONS.

To the Editor. Sir,—ln your report of the Tramway Board published on N'ovember 16, it is stated that a request for concession fares for the Girl Guides was referred to the Works and Traffic Committee. If concessions in this respect are granted, other organisations will be making application for assistance. The Territorials and Senior Cadets should receive consideration. A Senior Cadet the other evening informed me that it

cost him Is a week to attend parades, he having to come a long distance. I was always under the impression that the Cadets received a concession in this respect, but evidently such is not the case. Other cities make concessions, and I quote Dunedin as an illustration. Territorials and Cadets in Dunedin travelling in uniform either to the Kensington barracks or the St Kilda battery, or any other parade grounds, are charged Id per trip irrespective of the number of sections. Thus it costs 2d per week to attend drills. Regimental bandsmen travelling in mufti on practice nights are also charged Id per trip when proceeding to those places for practice. They are issued a pass certifying membership, and this is produced on demand. If the Dunedin tramway management can make these concessions to the Territorials and Cadets, there is no reason why Christchurch could not do something similar, seeing we are the second city in New Zealand. The Dunedin tramways, however, are under the control of the City Council, and they do not have to maintain an expensive board system. There is no reason why our local tramways should not be incorporated with our other municipal activities, and if a referendum were taken on the matter to-morrow I venture to predict that the citizens would vote solidly for municipal control. Dr Thacker recently said that the term rouse about was prehistoric, and I am of opinion that some of these boards, through their inefficiency and bungling, axe fast coming under that category. There are too many units dabbling in the management of our municipal enterprises, and the time has arrived when they should be consolidated, and not until this is done will concessions and cheaper services be available. —I am, etc., RATEPAYER.