CITY COUNCIL.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1692, 21 July 1875, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

TRAMWAY QUESTION.

A special meeting of the City Council, to consider the |" tramway question," was held to-day. . "Auckland, 20th July. To his Worship the Mayor: Sir,—We, the undersigned, hereby apply for the concession to lay down tramways on the streets of Auckland in accordance with the Tramways Act, 1872, and respectfully beg to submit the following terms and conditions as required by the City Council, and advertised in the Daily Southern Cross, of the 2nd inst. :—lst. That the City Council grant to the undersigned the exclusive right of laying down and working tramways in the streets of Auckland for 21 years. 2nd. That the undersigned will bind themselves to lay the tramway from Parnell along the New Beach Road when completed through Custom house-atreet and Queen-street to the foot of Grey-street (and to extend or branch from this route into any other street that may offer sufficient inducement) and from Queen-street to the foot of Franklin-street when the proposed Beach Road to Freeman's Bay is made. 3rd. The fare not' to exceed 4d from Parnell to Greystreet and 6d for any distance beyond those places. 4th. The undersigned bind themselves to keep the streets in repair between the rails and one foot on either side of same. sth Thatfalljvehicles have also the use of the'tramway exoept when any of the cars are approaching they must move off the

tram. 6th. The £500 to be returned with interest to the undeisigned on completion of the line from Parnell to Grey-street, and in the event of the undereigued failing to carry out the conditions of the concession the City Council to have the right to sell the line and plant at public auction to parties willing to carry out tbe undertaking. 7th. The City Councilto have the option at the end of each 21 years of either taking over the tramways and plant at cost price, or of extending the concession for another term of 21 years. The undersigned to commence the[cons traction of tram ways within 12 months.—We have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servants, Owen Jones and Co. P.S.—We enclose herewith a style of carriage we intend using."

The following is a copy of a telegram received at 1.13 to-day:—"To his Worship the Mayor, — Street Tramways. Mf. Henderson just returned from the South. His absence prevented completion of arrangements. Keamer leaving. Will send foimal offer by first msil with required security if Council grant delay. Plc.se reply.—Chas. O'Neill:" F '

A _ discussion ensued, in which a general opinion was expressed that the terms of the tender were unsatisfactory, as talking in only the level parts of the city. It w. s urged that communication between the suburbs ;aid rhe city was what was most requn.d, ami this was not provided in •Messrs Owe,: .Jo.us and Go's tender. .An 01-jec'.ion was also raised to the length of tbe ntonnpo'y Councillor Buchanan m v>. •:! -nd Councillor Brett seconded "That, no eligible application having been received, considerate v of tbe tramway question be deferred for a period of four months." This was put to the meeting, and carried. It was uinjers'oofl that fresh applications would be advertised for in the meantime, ma WAitDS. The Council then proceeded to discuss the question of wards. The Mayor said that the Act required that a fourth of tbe ratepayers should sign, and on the present petition this had not been done, and many Lad signed twice. The whole of the members spoke on the subject, and i. was shewn that at the present time tbe West of the city bad four members and tho Fast three. It was unanimously resolved that the Council was of opinion that the proposed division was not advisable, and that acopy of this resolution be sent to the Superintendent.