RUMOURED INCREASE OF SUMNER FARES CAUSES UNEASINESS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18452, 1 May 1928, Page 3

RUMOURED INCREASE OF SUMNER FARES CAUSES UNEASINESS.

SUGGESTION FOR CUTTING DOWN EXPENSES MADE. That many reridents would leave the borough of Sumner if they could dispose of their properties was one of several statements made in a letter to the Tramway Board yesterday afternoon hv the secretary of the Sumner Burgesses’ Association (Mr .1. A. foungl. The letter referred to the fatter of a rumoured increase in the ijframwav fares in the Sumner service, and remarked upon statements which were made by a deputation which recently waited upon the board in committee. The letter was as follows: —- With reference to your letter of April 24 regarding the deputation which waited upon your orks and Traffic Committee on April 23. I am directed to inform you that my association wishes to dissociate itself from *he case put by Mr J. Longton, which no way represents the mandate of

his fellow-deputies or of this association. ‘‘At our monthly meeting this evening (April 28), the following resolution was arrived at: —‘That this association considers the present service is suitable and acceptable and hopes it will . <>* continued without increase in fares.’ “It is desired, however, to make puite clear to your board that the present fares impose a heavy burden upon families with limited means. Thr last increase in fares has had a detrimental effect upon the letting of houses outside the Christmas and Easter holiday periods, and many families would leave the borough if they could dispose of their properties. Any further increase will accentuate this position.” The chairman (Mr John Wood) said that the last increase referred to by Mr Young was of three-farthings to Redcliffs and a penny to Sumner, which increase was not a large one. No action was taken in open meeting. The W orks and Traffic Committee reported that representatives of the Sumner and Redcliffs Burgesses’ Associations had expressed concern at the reported possibility of an increase in fares, suggesting that, before this were done, expenses should be reduced and that, if necessary, certain lightly-loaded trips should be cut out and that nonstop runs should be abolished, thus saving extra cars being run to and from Woolston. The committee was giving consideration to these matters.