TRAMS FOR PETONE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1439, 14 May 1912, Page 6

TRAMS FOR PETONE.

RIVAL SCHEMES. J'l.llinsriTK TO BE TAKEN, Two important motions dealing with Iniiinvuy |ir<i|Ki.-«l.s were set down i'or consideration on the order ibiiht of the IVlono llorough <.'oulseil lust night. ('imnoillor Short had given notice to nunc to rescind tile resolution passed at (lie previous meeting refusing ;i concession to ii syndicate to start u tramway service, lull Ihe motion was ruled out id' order by I lie Mayor. AVhut occurred lit (lie previous ineetiug was that a molion proposing to grunt the concession ivas 10-l. No motion whs carried, and therefore Hie .Mayor held that: Councillor Short could not go on with his motion. The Mayor (Mr. J. W. M'lOwan) moved: "That a plebiscite of ratepayers be taken on Wednesday, May 'J2, to determine whether tiio ratepayers approve of granting a concession to n syndicate to construct tramways within llio borough, or whether tho tramways should be installed by the council. !''or the purpose ol' this plebiscite n special roll sliail be prepared by the Town Clerk, from which shall Iks excluded the mimes of ratepayers owning property in the lvoro Koro nml Mauugaraki Settlements, the Koro Koro approach road, from railway bridge and west of railway line, from railway bridge lo White's Line. "The ballot paper .shall be constructed as follows:— "(1) vote for municipal tramways. "(:!) I vote for syndicate tramways." IT© stated that there were no doubt people who were opposed both to syndicate and to municipal tramways, and they might bo disfranchised, but even if a vote were carried in favour of municipal trams, the requirements of the law would have to ho carried out. There would havo to be notices in the papers for four weeks, a public meeting would have to bo convened, and the proposal must go to n ballot, of ratepayers again. The same thing would apply it the syndicate proposal were carried. Those who were opposed to both schemes would havo their remedy later. He thought it right (hat the ratepayers should have an opportunity of expressing au opinion on such mi important proposal relating to a public service. Councillor Brocklebank seconded tho motion. Councillor Piper wanted to know whether the result of the plebiscite would bind the council in any way. The Mayor thought that the council would he "morally bound,- but not legally hound, to act as tho ratepayers directed;, llut tlie council would not he bound to agree to all the terms of the syndicate's present offer. These would form the subject of subsequent negotiations. Councillor l'iper contended that no residents iu the rateable area'shoiild be excluded from voting, and he moved as an amendment that all the exclusion clauses bo deleted. Councillor Short seconded the motion. Tho vote,for tho syndicate trams would be miles ahead, and the council would be in the same position as it was a fortnight earlier. lie thought the motion an absolute waste of time. The Mayor, iu reply to a question from Councillor Wakeham, .said the people in the excluded areas strongly objected to being rated, and as they probably would be left out of tho special rating area, they should not have a vote. 'Hie amendment was lost, and Councillor l'iper gave notice of a further amendment that ail additional issue be submitted to the ballot: ''Is the time opportune for the construction of tramways? Yes. No." The amendment was lost, and the motion carried. The Mayor was authorised to call a public meeting oil Monday, May 20, two davs before the ballot, at which all available information about tramways would be laid before tho ratepayers.