MAKING IT PAY.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18902, 18 January 1927, Page 6

MAKING IT PAY.

CHRISTCHURCH TRAMWAY SYSTEM. SHOULD RATES BE LEVIED ? A statement on the question of tramway finance was made at yesterday's meeting of the Christchurch Tramway Board by the chairman (Mr A. S. Taylor). "There has," said Mr Taylor, "been some public comment arising out of the remarks by Mr W. J. Walter, in his statement as retiring chairman, that he believed in rating to make up tramway deficiencies. In making this statement he was careful to say that it was his personal opinion only. I desire to emphasise this point, for the question of rating has never at any time been discussed by the Board. So long as I have been on the Bo'ard its settled policy has been that the tramway undertaking should pay its way as a trading concern. Our financial position is such that the question of rating does not require present consideration, but I would like to say that I have heard of no arguments which would turn me from the opinion I have always held, namely—that all municipal trading undertakings, such as gas, electricity, or trams, should be conducted on the principle of each paying its own way, and in no manner drawing on the general rates.

Finance. "The publishing of the figures showing a deficiency for the first six months of the year to September 80th last has led to some criticism, and to a feeling among the public that our tramway undertaking is in a bad way. These were the returns for the winter period, during which We have invariably shown poor results. It is with the advent of spring that our revenue becomes moro buoyant, and I am pleased to say that the present half year is already showing promising results. In the ordinary course we should, by March Slat (When our year ends) be in a position to show a result that will reassure citizens as to the position of our tramway undertaking. "It would b6 idle to deny that we have been, and still are, passing through a time of considerable anxiety, but we are not alone in this. It must be emphasised that transport concerns the world over—railways, tramways, and buses—'are all passing through a rnOßb trying period. "The extraordinary world-wide trend towards motor transport, tho tremendous increase in operating Costs, notably in wages, material and power, coupled with the inability in the peculiar circumstanoes to increase fares to keep pace therewith, are the outstanding features of the problems confronting transport experts to-day.

Observation Buses. "During the Christmas and New Year holidays a service of observation butes was inaugurated. This has proved a financial success, besides giving visitors an opportunity of seeing the most picturesque parts of what we claim to be the Garden City of New Zealand. One-Man Oars. "Good progress is being made with the fitting up of one-man oars, for use as a trial on the St. Martins line. Every mail brings tts news of continued expansion in the use of this type of car in other countries. It is hoped that the eoonomy to be effected will go far to solve the problem which confronts us in Christcburch with reference to our non-paying extensions into tho Boniewhat sparsely settled districts. ' Buses and Bad Roads. "An item of expense in' considering the use of buses that is generally overlooked is the increased burden on the various local* authorities through whose districts buses run for upkeep of the roads-used by the buses. Bus passengers will, for their own comfort, demand that the roads be reconstructed under modern methods. A case in point has already occurred in the Heathcote County, where the observation bus has been taken off Wainoni road, owing to tho fact that it is closed to traffic snob, as heavy buses. It may be remembered in passing that were it not far the Board's work In maintaining road surface, the local bodies through whose districts the lines run would have to find about an additional. 610,000 »../•«." Mr D. Sykes said it was only fair that the motorcar owners who used the streets kept in order by the , Board should be rated to assist the Board in meetfrg such expenditure.