MIRAMAR AFFAIRS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 519, 28 May 1909, Page 4

MIRAMAR AFFAIRS.

RATES AND TRAM FARES. At last night's meeting of tho Miramar Borough Council referenoe, wa3 made to the' vexed questions of rating and tram fares. * A return concerning the increased fares ■ showed that the first week, a broken one, started on April, 29 and ended on May 5. The number of faros sold was 1455 at 2d. and 3876 at Id., thore being a total loss of £12 14s. lOd. The next weok, a complete one,- a total of 2799 fares were sold at 2d. and 3451 at Id., with a total loss of £7 2s. 3d. Tho running loss on the line previously had been about £15 per week, and thus under tho new arrangement it came to about half. ' Tho extra Id. on the Miramax North line had brought that line into tho same position as the Scatoun lino. A deputation of about a dozen residents waited on tho council in reference to rates and tram fares. Mr. D. K. Blair explained that their object ivas to protest agqihsi the increase.in rating. They thought the difficulty oould bo met by increasing tho tram fares. It was known that the trams were running at a loss and that a rate would have to be struck in tho first instance to meet it, but they wished to Bee that it would not bo a recurring one, and that tho council would see that the trams did not lose £3000 this year. If the fares were raised to the limit allowed by the Order-in-Council residents would not be affected, but pionickers and footballers would be mostly concerned. He held that the loss at present, about £8 per day, must injure the borough's credit in tho money market, and it must be remembered that tho council was desirous of putting forward some loan ■'proposals. Their rates were going up by about 100 per cent, per year, and be hop6d that increased tram,fares as a remedy would be given a trial. Mr. F. Laurclison said tho 'increased train fa-res had only been given a six weeks' trial, which ho did not consider a fair one. Mr. 0. B." Bowie remarked that the Karaka Bay rateable values had gone up with Miramar, although only the latter had the trams. Tho Karaka Bay people were the pioneers of the distnot, and' now they were being made' to suffer. • Mr. E. W. B. /Hornabrook supported the previous speakers. The Major (Mr. O. J. Crawford) said the council was glad to hear tho deputation, but he could not announce a deoision until the council had discussed the matter. So far as the rate was concerned, ho had moved in that direction reluctantly. It was absolutely, necessary, and tJiey could, do, nothing else, }i x % n ' an! *d to make tho trams pay, but the borough had tho wrong end of the stick. The• city was making, the..profit, and the borough was mailing tho loss. Ho was very sympathetic to Karaka Bay's wants, and certainly thought tho ferry boats should bo kept running. The deputation then withdrew. A petition signed by 16 ratepayers prayinq that tho fares should bo incroascd on both lines was also received. Tiw Mayor said the money' had to bo found and tbo rato bad. to bo struck. Ho moved that the rate passed at last meeting be ocmfirmod. This was carried and the questionof raising tho fares was referred to the Tramway Committee. •