TRAMWAY FARES.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1526, 23 August 1912, Page 4

TRAMWAY FARES.

PROTEST TO CITY COUNCIL. A large deputation, which included a fair sprinkling of youths, waited upon the City Council last evening to protest against tho new sealo of sections and fares inaugurated on tho city tramways on Monday last. Tho principal spokesmen for tho deputation, which was mainly representative of South Wellington, were Messrs. Whitclaw and. W. Scott Bedford. Mh. Whitelaw read the resolutions passed at the meeting which was held recently at Newtown, and said that they appeared before tho oouncil to urge a better system of working the oity tramways, and a better system t of fares. In order to make up the deficit on tho past working ol tho tramways, tho people of Wellington South were unduly taxed. Tho speaker went into figures at considerable length, and advocated, shortly, the establishment of a universal faro. Mr. Bedford asked the council to regard tho deputation as a serious expression of the dissatisfaotion which was foil by the people of Wellington South and contiguous suburbs with tho new* system of sections and faros introduced by tho corporation. There was a strong feeling against the new scale, and this feeling would not die down, for the simple reason that tho people could not afford to pay the fares—they would haw to walk. Referring to tho composition of the newTramway BoaTd, he complained that it was virtually judge of its own actions. A commission should bo set up to inquire into the whole system, and the members of the board should be asked to givo evidence before it. Mr. Bedford contended that the public was now penalised most unfairly—and most regrettably—with regard to fcllo Lyall Bay cars', which should be used to transport their wives and families to this beach in fine weather at tho cheapest possible rate. The Mayor (Mr. D. M'Larcn) assured tho deputation that its views would receive tho consideration of tho council, and took occasion to correct an impression which appeared to prevail with regard to the powers of tho Tramway Board. The decisions of that body were at all times subject to the approval of Iho council. The plea of Mr. Bedford on behalf of people desiring to take their families to tho beach at Lyall Bav would l'ecerivo the consideration of tho council Subsequently the matter was referred to the, Tramways Committee for consideration and report.