PLEASANT NIGHT.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1538, 6 September 1912, Page 6

PLEASANT NIGHT.

OUR TRAMWAY SECTIONSMAYOR HECKLED. "SOMERSAULTS AND FLIP-FLAPS." rAt the last meeting of tho City Council, a fortnight ago, a deputation from Newtown submitted a protest against tho recent introduction of tho revised schedule of tramway fares and sections, particularly as I hoy applied to residents of South Wellington, who, it was contended, were unjustly penalised by comparison with residents in other portions of tho city. This protest was referred to the Tramways Committed for consideration and report.

As chairman of tho council, tho Mayor (llr. D. M'Laren), at last evening's meeting, moved tho adoption of tho committee's report that it had given, consideration to the representations of tho deputation, but could not recommend any alteration in the present system recently adopted by tho council."

"I move this pro forma," said the Mayor who went on to say that he was not' in favour of tho report, and had opposed it in committee. Tho council was not yet in a position to say how the new system was working. It would be necessary to get a detailed report from the board with, regard to tho recent charges. The whole question of sections right through the city would have to be reviewed, as thero were still some sections which were too long by comparison with others. (Hear, hear.) The Lambton Station-Veitch and Allan section, for one, was out of all proportion to some of the others. Tho John Street section was another cause of injustice.

"That is what we have been fighting for," interjected Councillor L. M'Kenzic.

The" Mayor, continuing, said that he had never considered tho report of the Tramway Board, as adopted by the council to represent the final solution of the whole tramway question. "A Very Good Somersault," Seconding the motion, Councillor J. E. Fitzgerald expressed some, surprise at the Mayor's remarks- with regard to the reopening of the whole question. "It was a very good somersault," commented the speaker. The Mayor, he continued, had been strongly in favour of tho board's report, and he (the speaker), as a member of tho council, would not countenance any decision to go back upon what had been decided by a substantial majority. He himself was not wholly in accord with the decision of the council with regard to'the new fares and sections

"What turned you?" queried the Mayor.

"I have not turned," retorted Councillor Fitzgerald. "These were my views, but as a member of the council I insist that the system we have adopted should be given a reasonable trial—that 'we should stand by our decision." Councillor Tregear moved, as an amendment, to refer the report back to the committee. He had not been fully seized of the merits of the case for the residents of Newtown when the report came before the council, but considered now that'they had justice on their side. "I am not afraid of turning a somersault so long as I turn right side up," he said-. Dr. Cameron seconded the amendment, remarking that he had felt tho injustice of the position as it affected the residents of Newtown so keenly that he had handed :n his tramway pass as a salve to his conscience. Encouraging Agitation. Councillor G. Shirtcliffo could not understand the action of the Mayor in offering a suggestion which was weak in character. There was an element of weakness in the council, which did not know its own-mind in.civic affairs. - Only a month ago they hud decided, bv a sub-' stantial majority, to do tho right thing in. the interests of tho tramwav service, aud this- policy of temporising "was'simply encouraging people to continue these agitations. No one ever suggested that tho report of the Tramway Board was the fitia word on. tho working of the svstem, but they should, give the new system at least six months' trial, and givo the public clearly to understand that'. Councillor R. Fletcher said that the deputation should have been met frankly and honestly. Tho council should not encourago this come again, eonlo again come again,' agitation. Ho agreed that the board s report was not the final word on the situation, but why should thev talk of altering it after three weeks onlv'?

, Councillor W. H. P. Barber congratulated the Mayor in having realist the gross injustice which was being imposed upon the people of Newtown. P I lave never upheld the John Street section at any time," said the Mayor llio present arrangement, said Mr. Barber, was; a discredit to any municipal undertaking, and he described tho traffic on tlie John Street section, over which the cars were rnrining empty, hundreds and hundreds of people preferring to walk •11 ou > strfchiiig it," commented Councillor J. Fuller, jun. '•n l ' m T, no , t it," protested Councillor Barber. "Scores and scores of people who used to get homo to lunch cannot afford to do .so now. I know one Jainily which paid 245. in tram fares fdr one week.

Councillor A. H. Hindniarsh said that he was not opposed to the cutting-down of the sections, but the council had gone to extremes, especially with- regard to the John Street section, a reduction out of all reason. "Rub It, In." Councillor L. M'Kenzie said he was surprised to find the Mayor wobbling. He himself did not favour the John Street section, and still was of that opinion. But he was not going to somersault. The arguments of the deputation which waited upon the council at its last meeting did not touch upon the question of the sections at all-(Hear, hear!)-thev wanted concessions in fares.

"A universal fare," said a councillor. "Exactly," said Councillor M'Kenzie. He would have preferred to see that section extended to the Caledonian Hotel (at the Basin Reserve), and tho next/ section from that point to the Royal Oak corner. (Hear, hear.) Unfortunately,' an error'of judgment had been made, which would have to be rectified in time, but' the council should stand by its decision to give the board's report a trial. "I am surprised that.you, sir, as chairman of tho committee, should not have shown more firmness '' "Rub it in," said Councillor Fuller, encouragingly. "I do not. rub it in," said Councillor M'Kenzie, as 'lie resumed his seat: Councillor G. Frost hoped that the council would give the system a trial. "This is not a. somersault,'" commented Councillor Fuller, "it is a flip-flap." (Laughter.) There was no doubt that the cost of these alterations bore too heavily upon the users of the John Street section, but the new system should be given 'the test of time". Ho was not "trembling at tho knees," and had no intention of "turning topsy-turvy over" on this question. "You've all got your brains with you," he pointed out, as ho urged his brother councillors to seriously consider the position they would lie in if they executed "a double "flip-flap." Councillor F. Cohen agreed that tho John .Street section was a mistake, but he wanted (o give the new system a fair trial. * Mayor's Reply—Amendment Lost. Replying, the Mayor twitted various speakers who had adversely criticised .the John Street section, and yet had condemned him for hinting at the possibility of modifying the system which they had adopted on the recommendation of the Tramway Board. All that was suggested was that no reply should ho sent to the deputation till a report on the working nf the whole system, as recently reorganised, was furnished by tho Tramway Board. He stood fast by tho principles upon whiclr tlie board's report was based, but councillors would surely recognise that in the operation of the new system certain defects, calling for minor modifications not opposed in principle to the board's report, would be revealed. The council then divided (that the clause bo referred back):— Ayes.—The Mayor, and Councillors Barber. Cameron, Hindmarsh. Treeeov.

Xoes.—Councilloß Atkinson, Cohen. Shirfcliffe, Frost, Fletcher, Fuller, FitegeraM, Trevor. M'lfehzie, Godber. ,