THE TRAMWAYS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13435, 24 July 1911, Page 3

THE TRAMWAYS.

MATTERS BEFORE THE COUNCIL. Several tramway matters came before the Wanganui Borough Council at the meeting of that body on Friday evening. Durietown Wants Trams. Thirty-four Durietown and Taylorville ratepayers petitioned the Council to consider the advisability of extending the tramway service—either trolley or cable system—to Durietown. They pointed out that the installation of water and drainage, and the erection of a public school would add greatly to the suburb’s population, which they considered sufficient already, plus traffic which could reasonably be expected from the borough, and from visitors to the town, to keep a one-car service on a. short line well employed. „ If the trolley system were adopted, and the route were via the Red Lion corner, less than a mile of track would he required from the bridge to No. 2 Line, which would serve the whole suburb effectively. The service could either form part of the present service, and be installed at the coat of the whole borough, or could he subject to a special arrangement between the borough and the suburb, as in the case of other suburban extensions, or could be installed by private enterprise, subject to the necessary rights and authority being granted by the corporation. The petitioners asked that the Engineer he instructed to report, on the matter. The matter was referred to the Tramway Committee for consideration. Proposed Tramway Regulations. A letter was received from the Public Works Department, forwarding copy of the proposed new tramway regulations. The communication was confidential. A letter was also received from the Wellington City Council re the forthcoming conference on the same matter. Cr. POYNTER (chairman of the Tramways Committee) said the committee had considered, the regulations, and thought the Council should be represented it the conference, and combat the Government's attempt to “jump our claim.” He moved that the Mayor, Cr. Poyuter, and the Tramways Engineer (Mr F. P. Taiboys) represent the Council at the conference. The motion was agreed to. General. The MAYOR reported that, as the matter of sealing the contract for tramway plant with Messrs Greenshields and Co. was urgent, he had consulted the Tramway Committee, which agreed that the Mayor and Town Clerk should seal the contract, and this thev had done. The Mayor and Town Clerk's action was endorsed. A formal resolution was passed with respect to the tramway loan, (1) authorising debentures to bo handed to the Bank of New Zealand-; (2) authorising the establishment of a sinking fund of IV per cent, (on £35,000 loan), the Public Trustee to be sinking fund commissioner; (3) authorising the Mayor and Town Clerk to execute deed of covenant with the A.M.P. Society. Tile tender of Turnbull anad Jones was accepted for supply of battery, booster, and spare parts. Tramway Committee’s Report. Engineer’s Salary.—ln view of the additional duties devolving on the Engineer in connection with the extensions now in hand, the committee recommend the Council to increase the Engineer’s salary bv £SO per annum from Ist inst. •Tramway Million Demands.—The committee haa considered these demands, and submit herewith a schedule of rates of wages and conditions of working. This the committee recommend the Council to approve, and forward to the Union with an intimation that the Council is prepared to enter into a three years’ agreement embodying the conditions, also that this oiler to the Union is final, and, failing acceptance, the present conditions be adhered to until the matter is decided by the Court. The Engineer’s report of 11th inst. was received, and the committee has given the following directions on matters contained therein: 1. That Mr Tookey be appointed on liehalf of the Council to inspect the power plant at the makers' works before shipment. 2. That the plan of the route via Guyton Street as presented he adopted, and forwarded lo tlie Public Works Department. 3. That the contractor he requested to supply a CV-inch ammeter at an extra cost of £4, also to supply a Matbot recorder for taking tests oil the gas engines, at a cost of £22 ss. 4. That the Railway Department be informed. that the Council does not require a footway over the proposed bridge at Guyton Street. 1 5. That the Engineer’s plan for vaporI isors lio approved and the same lie pro--1 cured. j The report was adopted.