PETROL TRAMS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1429, 2 May 1912, Page 6

PETROL TRAMS.

SCHEME FOR PETONE. BOROUGH OR SYNDICATE? Details of the proposals of Messrs. Macho! and Pctherick iu connection with the construction, by a 'private company, of a petrol-driven system of tramways for Petoiie, came before the Borough Council at its meeting last evening, when there were present:—The .Mayor (Mr. J, AV. M'Bwan), and Councillors Short, List, AVakcham, Brocklebauk, ladder, Trucuinn, Cox, and Piper. The promoters oi the scheme asked for a concession to construct tramways on the following terms:— 1, Term of concession-to be for 21 years, with Hie right of renewal of 21 years it the council has power to grant it on. the terms settled upon. 2. Tho concessionaire (Mr, V. B. Pethorickj to begin the installation within 12 months from the execution of the contract, and to complete within eighteen months an effective system of trams in Pelone, running on rails, and driven by such motive power as might be best suited to the circumstances, but not to comprise a system driven by current through overhead or underground conduits. Tho idea was a pctrol-drivon motor-bus, tiio first installation to run from tho railway station to Cuba Street or just beyond, and within, another IS months the line to be extended to tho boundary near tho Hutt Park for Sunday and holiday traffic to star' with. ;). Tho permanent traffic on the first, portion to bo made to suit the twins as near as possible, with a half-hour service as a minimum; fares to be Id. to the end ; of the first section, and 2d. to Hie park; an extension to be provided within five years along Cuba Street to Aiieetown, also a Id. section. ■J. If other extensions required, Hie matter to be referred to arbitration, and if the train proprietors on arbitration going against them do not care to make the extension, an immediate power of purchase by the borough to arise on tho terms of the next clause. 5. The council to have tho right to repurchase at the end of 11 years on six months' prior notice, nt the amount of the proprietors' capital invested in the trams, plus a cumulative profit of 8 per cent, from the commencement of construction,

G. Tho council to grant a leaso of fo much of the old sanitary depot- ns Elinll bo required for train sheds, etc., ut a nominal rental.

7. At tim expiry of the term, if no renewal be arranged and no purchase made, the proprietors to have ilio right to remove the whole of their plant. S. At the end of the term the council to have the right of purchase at a valuation, nothiiu: being paid for goodwill. 9. A bond to bo'given, to (lie approval of the'council, of .£2(10, conditional upon forfeiture of the money if tho work is not started and completed witliiu (ho respective times.

Councillor Short moved that the concession be granted, and that the terms m> the subject of an agreement between the council and tramway company. Councillor List seconded pro forma. Councillor Brocklcixiuk opposed ttio proposal, as he objected to the pnnoiulo of handing over to a syndicate a publicenterprise which the borough might, if the scheme was a practical ons, conduct as a municipal work. The Unit people had reiected a similar proposal. He hnfi iu mind the fact that AVellington city would have to pay very dearly for a valuable tramway concession handed to a private syndicate, if it desired to secure the control of tho lino in question. Tho Mayor drev; the attention of the council to the provision; of the Tramways Act, which set out that the consent of the ratepayers' must be obtained to a proposition nf this kind. Councillor Loddor considered th-rf the olVer was a loir one. Tho borough had nothing to lo?c, and (he company wa< entitled to make p. profit if it could, if tho scheme was a success. Hie council would have the. oiilion of taking it over. The Mayor addml that the cumulative interest on the basis set out in the proposal would brim.' til." purchnfo price of the scheme up to ,C21,2f1fl at the end nf fourteen year?. His own view of Ihc proposition was that tiie council should refer to tlio ratepayers the question of principle involved—whether the tramways should be constructed bv the borougli or a private company. He woiml give notice of" motion to that effect, and according to their decision tho council roiihl (hen proceed to consider tho merits of the scheme submitted, or drop tho matter. This viir.v was concurred in by the majoritv of tho council, and Councillor Short's motion was defeated. Tho Mayor then said he would give notice of motion accordingly.