SHORT CUT TO KARORI.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1368, 20 February 1912, Page 5

SHORT CUT TO KARORI.

UPLAND ROAD CARS,

SCIIEME STRONGLY URGED. For a long time the people of KaivJri have l>?cn desirous of shortening tho tram route from their suburb to tlio city, uml havo recently been discussing ways of doing it. Finally, the Borough Council has arrived at a definite conclusion, and yesterday a deputation from the Karori Council waited upon tho Oity Tramways Committee to lay it before them. The members of (he deputation wore;—. Messrs. W. T. Iliidreth, .T. T. Horn, A. Hamilton, and E. J. Standen, all councillors of (he Borough, of Karori.

They put forward a proposal that the Wellington City Council should grant the Karnri Borough Council pcrruifisioii to construct a section of tramway thai; would extend from the hill-top terminus of the Kelbnrne Tramway Company's line to the Wellington-Karori line, at" a point near the viaduct, by way of Upland Road. Mr. Iliidreth said that the deputation had come to ask for permission to carry out; tho proposal indicated above. Various Toutes had been considered, but this had 'been proved to be the cheapest and tho shortest possible, Tho Karori Borough would not ask the city to spend o shilling on (he mite, or to incur any liability for cost of upkeep. Tho deputation asked only for permission to lay the line.

Mr. Horn emphasised the importance of the lino to Kolburne nnd Northland residents, who were, ho boliovod, strongly ir favour of it. The reason why Karori was not going nhead was because peoplo could not reach it from the city in it reasoriabln lime. Other more distant suburbs which could be reached in less time were going ahead rapidly. In reply to Councillor Fitzgerald, who suggested that there was onuosiliou to tlin line in Northland, Mr. Hildreth said that they had not yet been consulted. They would be liablu for about n third of the. roil, but the Karori Council thought that the liiui.wou?d not only pay. Interest on its own cost, but on the cost of (he other line a.s well." ' Councillor ShirtclinV. Are you satisfied that the cable tram will carry the extra traffic? Mr, Hildretli: Yes. Wo weut into that matter with the cable company, end they are prepared lo pay us .£3OO a year sut>«dy if we get this line , across, nnd to carry all the passengers we bring for a penny each way. The- Acting-Mayor: Northland residente will have to pay their share. Wo have to satisfy thorn also, nnd that is where our difficulty , -is. Mr. Iliidreth: We expect to be nble to show 'Northland sound reasons lor adopting the scheme. Hut, in any rase, if Northland doesn't come in, we a;e prepared to take up the whole thing and run it ourselves, nnd we think that it vrill pav the loss on the lower line. Councillor Hindmarsh: What is the debt ol' Karori now?

Mr. KiUlrcth: About .C8!t,000. Councillor Hiudmarsli: Tliis will bring it up to njxml: .£IOO,OOO. The Acting-Mayor nromised Hint the connnitti'c would consider the, matter.