ST. MARTIN'S TRAMWAY.

Press, Volume L, Issue 15037, 4 August 1914, Page 2

ST. MARTIN'S TRAMWAY.

BURGESSES' ASSOCIATION'S , BILL.

DEPUTATION TO THE BOARD

SOME STRAIGHT TALK

At verferday's meeting of the Tramway Board, a deputation of three, of whom Mr J. Longton was spokesman, waited on the Board and discussed matters connected with tho St. Martin's tramway extension. The deputation represented tho St. Martin's Burgesses' Association. Mr Lonrrton said that tho deputation desired to place before the Board matters connected with the legislation nromoted by tho St. Martin's Burgesses' Association dealing with amendments of the existing law affecting tho depreciation and renewal funds. Statements had been made regardng tie reason for promoting the Bill, one being that the St Martin's Burgesses' Association desired to run the whole system, and another that thereceipte from the line had not come up to expectations. Neither was correct. They contended that tlio St. Martin's line had not been treated fairly, no provision having been made for the disposal ot the -surplus, as was dono in respect to tho Riccarton line. Statement.; made respecting the anticipated deficit and the possibility of a heavy rate were having a ueuimental elieci in uiscouiuging ■settlement in tne district. It was with tho object of counteracting tuis iiilluenco ti*at the Bill was promoted. Ho wished to dpal first with tho question of charging interest tor tne fir-***t 'year to loan. ■_.*- ----Tim chairman said the Board had no power in the matter. Legal advice had been taken, which upneid the Board's decision that interest could be charged to. loan ouiy during the period of construction. Mr Longton said that the St. Martin's line had been treated diffeiei.tly norn other special rating districts- At Having had interest for the first year charged to loan. The chairman: No; only during construction. Mr Longton said that according to tho advertisements, the interest was payable for tho first year. It -seemed that it was tho whole aim of someone to pile on tlio charges on the St. Martin's line for the first year. Tho chairman: That is not correct— you have had extra bpecial treatment. Mr Longton then wished to refer to the manner in which St. Martin's was being "robbed" owing to tho manipulation of the inner area traffic. Tho chairman said that it was not a proper manner in wliich to refer to tho subject. Dr. Thacker suggested that the deputation should put in writing its complaints regarding operating matters. Mr Longton said he would adopt the suggestion. He was 'satisfied that the Board did not have any idea how the inner area traffic was being manipulated. The chairman: That is tantamount to a chargo against our officers! Mr Longton: It is, and I am prepared to stand by it. The chairman: That is all the more reason for the matter being put in -writing.-,. ;.'",,-,/', *~. . ... .'. ;'* ;' Mr Longton then exnlained the proposals of the Bill, and said'that it waa very simple Bill and ought not to give cause for much opposition. He honed the BoarcY'Vould 6ee its way to take it up. :; ; - ■■•■'■ . ,- . ;-, - .'-.-:-:■ The chairman asked if it was not a fact that the St. Martin's neople went into the extension with their eves open, and knew of the alteration of the law making it obligatory on tho Board to charge 2 per cent, in respect to denreciation.' and 2 per cent, in respect to renewals? ■ . * . ■ Mr Lonnton said that it was so to a certain extent, but they did not.realise that the provision was obligatory, and were under tho impression that the wording would be "may" instead or. "shall." In further reply to the chairman, ho said that the Association had stated that it was agreeable to .the loan being raised under the conditions of the amended Act. deferring to the proposals of the Bill, he said that the Association considered them to bo fair nnd just. , , ' The chairman asked if it was not tiie -ase that the Bill was promoted because the earnings of the line were not ••> to oxp?ctation*'. Mr Longton: It has nothing to do with th 9 earnings of tho nnp. The chairman. You told the people, in a circular, that there was no probability of a rate being struck during the first six months and little probability afterwards. Mr Longton: I still maintain that. I was depending on St. Martin's being treated as other special areas. Mr Booth asked if Mr Longton expected that the provisions of the Bill, if it became law. would be retrospective. , . Mr Longton said that he expected it would apply to the St. Martin's district, aud tne conditions at present existing. Mr Booth asked if Mr Longton recognised that if the Bill becamo law it would have the effect.to vary the contract in favour of the borrower without the lender's approval. Mr Longton said that ho recognised that. _- ~ Mr Booth: And do you expect Parliament to pass such a Bill? ■ Mr Longton said that they did so expect. ...... Mr Booth: I have more faith m their honest y myself. ' In reply to further questions, Mr Longton said that he mniieil had drawn the Bill, that thore had not been time to consult the members of the "Board, and*that in somo respects the advertisement of tho Bill did not quite agree with the provisions of the Bill. Beforo the deputation withdrew the chairman said ho wished to assuro them that there was no plan to try to rob the St. Martir's district'of its jus-t share of traffic —indeed, the deputation's . statements had come as a surprise. Mr Longton said it was because they thought that the Board did not know of the real state of affairs that they wished to place the matter before the Board. The chairman asked that the deputation should put the matters fully in the written communication they had promised to supply. The deputation withdrew. Mr Pearce moved: "That the Board declines to father tho Bill, and, in justice to tho central part of the district, it feels that it is its imperative duty to oppose the Bill." Mr Beaven seconded tho motion. Mr Ban* expressed a certain amount of sympathy with the St. Martin's people. He thought that the chairman had shown feeling towards Mr Longton. The chairman said that he had absolutely no feeling in the matter. Mr Sykes said that he had considerable sympathy with the St. Martin's people, -who had voted against* tho loan and those who had failed to record their votes. Mr Booth referred to the manner in which the St. Martin's people had turned down every scheme except tho most expensive one. It was absolutely dishonest to ask the Legislature to vary the basis of the bargain entered into between borrower and.lender. If Parliament agreed to the Bill, it would he enough to destroy the confidence t»f

lenders of money in New Zealand. He hoped the House would "turn down" the proposal summarily. Mr Gray endorsed these remarks. The chairman, referring to the allegations that the St. Martin's district was not being fairly treated in respect .to'the inner area traffic, said that'much of the traffic on the first section rightly belonged, either to the Cashmere Hills line or the Opawa line, and the St. Martin's people would not have agreed to tho starting placo of their extension being Cathedral square if they did not think they were going to benefit by it. He knew of no tramway district in which the people had been better treated, or in which the Board had made such great efforts to enlighten the people before they authorised the loan for the extension. The motion was agreed to.