TRAMWAY BOARD

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17123, 19 April 1921, Page 2

TRAMWAY BOARD

YESTERDAY'S MEETING. Tho Christchurch Trainway Board met yesterday'. Present: Hon J. Barr (chairman) and Messrs H. Pearce, J. Wood, S. A. Staples, D. Sykes, A. 8. Taylor, G. T. Booth, and W. J. WalRevenue Returns. The chairman presented the revenue account "for the year ended March 31st, 1921: This Last Year. Year. £ £ Earnings >.. 251,354 205,989 Operating expenses 186,089 142,913 Standing charges 63,998 61,246 Wages to men on active service, re- '• • turned ... 377 3)310 Soldiers' passes, eto.

Credit baT. ... 890 Def. £1,480 Mr Barr said that two Easters fell in the financial year just closed. Each Easter was worth over £ISOO. The next financial year would not have the advantage of such, traffic. The increase in fares operated during eleven months of the financial year only. The effect on the full vear's income was an increase of 22 per cent, over the previous year. The operating expenses had increased 30 per cent. The standing charges had increased only 4.5 per cent.,_but much of the increased capitul expenditure had only been in use for a portion of the year, and was charged for proportionately. Next year 1 ''the standing charges would be much heavier. The increased expenditure under the various headings was as follows:—Traffic, 41 ner cent.; repairs and maintenance, 35 per cent.; power, 26 per cent.;.general expenses, 15 per cent. "Members will realise," added the chairman, "that we are working on a narrow margin—we might say a dangerously narrow margin—and the outlook for the incoming financial year is that we are liable to. have a balance on the wrong side. Of coursei I realise, as other members do, that we always look forward to a certain annual increase in traffic, but coupled with that, this incoming year we will have an increase in standing charges owing to certain works and certain rolling-stock being put into operation. It behoves ua, therefore, to view the position: in the light that very-careful management is necesary during tho. coming year if we are to avoid an increase in fares, which we all know is altogether undesirable." Bryndwr Trainway. Regarding the proposed extension to Bryndwr, the Works and Traffic Committee > reported that a large deputation had presented a numerously-signed petition asking the Board to proceed without' delay with the construction of a tramway extension, along Strowan street to the Bryndwr .railway station. The loan proposals approved by tho ratepayers in February of last year provided for a line from. Papanui road along Rugbv street, Rossall street, and Wairarapa "terrace to Elmwood Park, terminating at Glandovey road. Recently a deputation of Rugby street residents pointed out that while not wishing to prevent Bryndwr people obtaining tram connexion with the city,, they hoped that a route other than Rugby street would bo selected. The works at present in hand would absorb all the Board's spare plant and material for some time to come, and in the ordinary course the Order-m-) Council authorising the work would not bo sought for until tho time approached when it would be possible to commence work, so that the interests of neither party were being prejudiced by the delay. In tho meantime the General Manager had been instructed to report on the proposal that the line should be extended from Elmwood Park to a point near the Bryndwr railway crossing, and to include references to the vexed auestion as to route. As an application for an authorising Order-in-Council had to be advertised, ample notice of the Board's intentions, would be given apart from any publicity secured through reports of the Board's meetings, and whatever decision was arrived at bv the Board, an appeal to the Public Works Department in statutory form was always possible. , New Brighton Line. A letter was received from the New Brighton Borough Council protesting p gainst tho variation of the route of N<*'v Brighton cars from Cashel street to Worcester street. The Council stated j

that the present route was a gre*6 convenience to New Brighton residents wishing to catch morning trains, and was also more convenient for business people, most of whom had their promises south of Worcester street. The chairman said tho Board had no intentiou to make the alteration complained of. The proposal for the variation was made l>y Mr Flesher and certain members of'the City Council when opposing the Board's proposal for the laying of a line in Manchester street. On the motion of .Mr Walter, it was decided to advise ihe Now Brighton Council accordingly.

Riccarton Road. The Canterbury Automobile Association complained of inadequate vehicular traffic facilities on Riccarton road during construction operations, and of insufficient lighting, and the suggestion was made that tho road should bo stopped during the work and warning notices placed at each end. The chairman said the Board had no power to stop the road. The difficulty was only temporary, and everything possible was being done to minimise tho inconvenience involved. A lieht was placed on each alternate standard, together with lielus at both ends of tho work, and that should be sufficient. Mr Staples said the .Board should lie complimented on the speed at which the work was being carried out. There was no justification for the "squeal" from the Automobile Association. Mr Booth sugcestod that the Board might ndopt the proposal to place warning notices at each t-iul of the road. The General Manager said the work was almost finished in the road through the Park, and would theu bo carried on aW the main Riccarton road, which could not very well bo stopped. Tt was decided, on the motion ot the - chairman, to receive the letter and to j inform the Automobile Association that | additional lights would be installed at < each end of the construction works. 1 I