BY NORTHLAN.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1371, 23 February 1912, Page 8

BY NORTHLAN.

LETTER TO THE CITY COUNCIL. The Northland Municipal Electors' Association forwarded the following letter to the Town Cleric, to bo read at the council meeting last evening:— We observe that' a section of the Karori ratepayers arc again seeking to influence tile City Council in Hip suggested tram service over Kelburne. While we arc of opinion that neither , the City Council nor Government will permit of the construction of this tramway over the viaduct, and via Kelburne, still we.think it advisable that the council should know that, if the request is acceded to, it will meet with strong opposition from Northland ratepayers, and also a. large section of Karori residents. That a shorter route -is urgently needed goes without saying, but it should be, when constructed, a branch of the existing service. Previous to the illness of the .Mayor (Mr. Wilford) he-gave us to understand that the engineer was ti> be instructed to go fully into the question of a line via Sydney Street or Hill Street, and report to the council, and wo would respectfully request: that this should be done, so that council and ratepayers alike will know the position. Possibly it is unnecessary to point out that the first duty of the council is to its own ratepayers, and the interests of those residents in the city before the concerns of residents of an' outside borough. Without going into details respecting the Kelburne project, it is plain to everyone that the anticipated success of the line must bu at the expense of the existing service; while the philanthropic offer of JiDOO per annum hy the K?lburn<> Tramway Company is too transparent to require comment. A shorter route from Eotan'cal Gardens to the Quay would meet all requirements. The distance from Karon' Kot(I to 111? Quay would be covered in a few minutes, and passengers, witnout change of car, 'can continuo to other parts of the city, while the proximity to the principal offices, wharf, and projected new railway station make that route the only one that will prove acceptable loathe' public.' ■'.■•■■■■ We. are also of opinion that the council do not fully realise the splendid asset which the city possesses in the Botanical Gardens. Given; a shorter route and quicker service with a penny section from the Post Office or Kelburne Avenue, it is certain Hiat, during Hie snnimer months, thousands of pfople would visit the gardens, and thus add to the tramway revenue. There ave. mam- reasons that could ho advanced in favour of the Gardens to Quay route as against any other, and if necessary those reasons'will be given by deputation, letter, or public meeting. ,