23

I.—9a

Friday, 2nd September, 1910 Henry William AVilson, Town Clerk of the Auckland City Council, examined. (No. 3.) w ir 1 IITl lT A - M y ers ].Jon have been duly authorized by the Auckland City Council to come to Wellington and give evidence before this Committee ?—Yes, by resolution passed yesterday week j. You have been Town Clerk for a considerable time?— About ten years. ,: ■ A . re y° u intimately acquainted with the transactions between the Auckland City Council and the Auckland 'Iramway Company I— Yes. of nnii J?n a rl° h a nowl « ?' the working of the tramway systems run by the municipalities of Dunedin, Christchureh, and Wellington ?—A certain amount of knowledge, of course o. i'romthe knowledge in your possession how would you consider the Auckland tramways compared with those systems, having regard to the safety and convenience of the general public? —On that point I can say that the tramways in Auckland have always run for the convenience of the general public The system has worked extremely well. The Council, of course, have kept a s net hand over the company so as to see that everything necessary coming within their jurisdicoTXT° V ll'-\ /> °y h f 7 wh ° le > takin S the different circumstances of the several cities into consideration, I think the Auckland system compares favourably with the others interests of the do™™ 1 ** PreSCnt tiHB P ossesses power to safeguard the 7 In every respect?— Yes. 8 You have power under the deed of delegation to make demands on the Auckland Tramway Company in any of the matters set forth in the deed of delegation, and which, of course affect the convenience and safety of the public?— Yes, very full powers 9. It is within your knowledge that the Auckland City Council has devoted considerable time to tramway matters during the last few years J— Tea. Two and a half years ago these matters became of such importance that the Council set up a special committee to deal with them 10. And even prior to that the committee that exercised jurisdiction in tramway matters devoted a considerable portion of their time to that end?— Yes, a considerable portion 11 bo that, as a matter of fact, if the tramways had been municipally owned, do you think more time could have been devoted to them than what obtains at present ?—Only with this exception, that the Council would have had more detail work in connection with their running- • but over the general supervision they give very close attention. ' 12. What portion of the Traffic Inspector's time do you think is devoted to tramway matters? Wei practically the is to say, he has to do with the other traffic in the streets but the bulk ot his time is undoubtedly taken up with tramway matters 13. Do you think the Council's position is satisfactory, so far as that whatever demands they make providing they are reasonable and in the best interests of the public, are attended to 2— Yes, they exercise a considerable amount of freedom in making demands on the company 14. Have they ever made demands in that way?— They have made demands at times which they considered were outside their powers, in order to see that the service was run in the interests or tlie public, 15. If the company do not comply with those demands, what is the position ?—lf the company do not comply, action is taken under the deed of delegation. 16. Has action ever been taken ?—Twice legal action has been taken, with the result that in both cases the Tramway Company, by payment of fines, admitted that they were not complying with reasonable requirements. w "* 17 Has the Council ever taken upon itself the responsibility of the safety of the brake?—No • the Council has been advised right through that the Government had that matter entirely in its hands, in connection with the passing of the plans for the construction of the cars. 18. So that at the present time the Council take no responsibility at all?—No responsibility with regard to the fittmg-up of the brake. 19 There has never been any interference on the Council's part with any action the Government has taken in that connection ?—No. 20. The Council are not desirous of accepting that responsibility ?—Not so long as the Go vernment take it. & ■21 u Ym \ co " sider that that > in a word > is a legitimate function of the Government ?—Yes seeing that the Government pass all plans with regard to the construction of the cars. 22 Have you seen the statement made by Councillor Mackay?—lt was prepared practically in conjunction with myself, and it was based upon the report which I made upon the Bill to the Council, and which was adopted by the Council as its expression of opinion. 23. You consider, in the first instance, that the condition of the brakes comes within the general functions of the Government with regard to the fixing of the limits of speed, where the trams are to stop, and other like matters, do you not consider that those are proper powers to be held by the municipality ?—Yes. That, of course, becomes purely a matter of the local traffic. 2i. I presume the Council would be more in touch with the desires of the people than any cantral authority ?—Yes. With regard to the question of speed, we have agreements with the company as to the speed they shall run at in Queen Street. 25. So that, while the Council considers the construction of the cars and the fitting of the brakes come within the legitimate functions of the Government, you do not consider the stopping- 1 places and the limits of speed, and so forth, come within their jurisdiction? No, those become purely local matters. 26. With regard to the licensing of the cars, do you think there would be more expedition if that matter were placed under the authority of the Government, than exists at the present time? —No; that is again a matter where the local authority has a knowledge of the local circumstances'