NORTH BEACH BUSES.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19180, 10 December 1927, Page 14

NORTH BEACH BUSES.

TRAMWAY BOARD AND COUNTY. TREATMENT RESENTED. The Christchtirch Tramway Board views with regret the attitude of the Heathcote County Council in refusing it permission to run a bus along Wainoni road, especially as another bus proprietor has been granted this authority. At last evening's meeting of the Heathcote County Council a letter of protest was read from the Tramway Board, and after a lengthy discussion it was decided to reply quoting the section of the Public Works Act under which Wainoni road is closed to heavy traffic. The letter, which was addressed to the county clerk (Mr J. McAuliffe), is as follows:

"I am directed by the chairman to express surprise and regret at the treatment the Board has received from your Council with respect to Wainoni road.

"The Board applied in December, 1926, to the Licensing Authority for permission to run one bus to North Beach, via Wainoni road. This was opposed by your Council because of wear and tear on the road. The Licensing Authority refused the Board's application. Nevertheless, in February, 1927, your Council offered no objection to the Inter-City .Company running a second bus. Again in November this year, the Inter-City Company applied for authority to run two more buses at peak times and on holidays. Your Council offered no objection to this, but, nevertheless, objected to the Board being allowed to run one bus. • *'lt would appear that the provision of the Public Works Act, 1910, under which you object to the Board using Wainoni road, has application only to tho effect on the road of traffic, and that the question of the public convenience in tl»e matter Cf transport is a question for the Licensing Authority. "It is submitted with respect to the effect on the road that your Council should not attempt to discriminate between two owners of vehicles of the same class.

"I am directed to say that the Board has always endeavoured to co-operate with yflur Council in every way feasible, later instances being Cashmere road and Page's road, and that consequently your Council's action in the matter of Wainoni road has caused the Board considable regret.'' The chairman (Mr C. Mavell) said he thought that the Tramway Board was quite wrong in its attitude. The Board desired to run a motor-bus through the county. Ratepayers would derive very little benefit from this service. Also, it would mean that other heavy traffic would be allowed on the Wainoni road. Mr J. L. Dahks: I think it's pretty hard on the Tramway Board. It is a public body, and it is deserving of every support. Mr W. Scarff: This is one of the most barefaced things of which. I have ever heard. Not so very, long ago the Tramway Board turned down a request to run a bus for our people. This service, I might say, has been" given by other enterprise, and now, of course, the Board seeks to enter the field in opposition.

Mr Danks: That argument is all very well, but tho Board should be given a fair hearing. Mr W. Kerr did not agree with Mr Danks's remarks. Wainoni road should not be thrown open. Mr Danks said that it was the duty of the Council to assist the Tramway Board in every possible way. Tho chairman explained that the Board had sought permission to use a closed road.

"What atfout Bussell!" interjected Mr Danks. "What about him!"

Continuing, Mr Flavell said that Mr Bussell had been granted a license on condition that he made certain stops, by which he would cater for the ratepayers of the county. Mr Danks: And the Tramway Board want the same concession.

Mr Kerr: This man is running for the benefit of our ratepayers. That's t\je difference.

"Why do we want to stop the Tramway Board from going through!" asked Mr Danks, heatedly. "We are in a most unfortunate position when we cannot see our way to help the Board." The chairman: If we do, we open the road, that's the position. The County Clerk explained that a license had been issued to Mr Bussell on condition that he made certain stops, and this did not constitute through traffic. "Well, then, why not allow the Tramway Board to use the road on condition that it makes certain stops!" asked Mr Danks.' "And I hope that the Council will move heaven and earth to have Wainoni road made a high road, and not Page's road." Mr Scarff: It's a "dog in the manger" business, anyhow. It would appear that the Tramway Board is trying to push the other fellow off the road. "Quite wrong i Quite wrong I' said IMr Danks. "The Board is not out ! for that sort of thing. I most certainly intend to move that we give the Board permission to run over Wainoni road." "And have more races between buses," replied Mr Kerr. "It would develop into n that, at any rate. Mr Danks: I don't think so. We will not allow our roads to be used as racing tracks. And I despise the attitude the Council is adopting over this matter. _ Mr Scarff said that as the Tramway Board was losing on its buses, he did not think that an additional one should be permitted to run on Wainoni road, and so*giv<s the ratepayers further loss to bear. „ _. . The chairman, with a smile: We must save them from themselves. Mr Danks insisted that the Council should support the Tramway Board, and he refused to be convinced by the chairman that Wainoni road would not stand the wear and tear caused by four buses. , T • The rlerk explained that the Licensing Authority would not give the Board permission to operate in tne

Wainoni area. ~ Discussion was brought to finality when Mr Danks moved that the clerk be instructed to interview Mr Frank Thompson, Manager of the Tramway Board, with a view to discussing ways and means of opening up Wainoni road for motor-bos traffic. There was no seconder to the motion, and the secretary was instructed to write to the Tramway Board quoting the section of the Public Works Act under which the road was closed to heavy traffia.