GONVILLE AND CASTLECLIFF TRAMS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 15973, 15 November 1919, Page 2

GONVILLE AND CASTLECLIFF TRAMS.

To the Elditor. Sir,—ln your report of the last meeting of the Tramway Board, the discrepancy between the figures submitted by the secretary to the Board and those submitted by the Castlecliff .Ratepayers’ Association requires -explanation. The Association’s figures refer to amounts contributed to the Board in fares by residents and visitors at Castlecliff, compared to amounts contributed by Gonville residents and visitors, viz., £2491 and £IOB6 respectively over a period of six months. The secretary to the Board’s figures refer to sections of tie tramline, and his figures only prove that the section to which both Gonville and Castlecliff contribute pays better than the section which Castlecliff supports alone. The question at issue is that the Castlecliff reidenfe and visitors contribute by far the 'greater portion of revenue, while there is very little difference in the running expenses. Therefore Castlecliff is entitled to an improved tramway service. Official figures show that assuming the line ended at the junction, the revenue from Gonvillefor three months fs £537, while the revenue derived from the three sections beyond the junction and the Castlecliff traffic over the Gonville line is £BSO. Taking three summer months, the difference is still greater, viz., Gonville £549, Castlecliff £1641. There is very little difference in the running costs between the Gonville traffic and the Castlecliff traffic. Two cars run the whole day round the loop, and two cars run the whole day from Wanganui to Castlecliff. Tlie difference in rates collected in the two areas is partially accounted for by a large portion of Castlecliff being outside tlie rating area, and steps should be taken to include this district. Tlie secretary’s figures giving the amount of rates over a period of eight years, gives this factor' undue prominence. For a period of Six months, the figures are Gonville £444, Castlecliff £124. In round figures, the revenue from tramlines from Castlecliff is double that of Gonville, and it is only a sound business proposition that the best paying portion of the service should be developed.—l am etc , H. M. HELM, ‘ 5 Hon. Secretary, Castlecliff Ratepayers’ Electors’ Association.