THE CARS & MIRAMAR.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1777, 16 June 1913, Page 5

THE CARS & MIRAMAR.

MAYOR'S OPINION.' THE FINANCE OF SUCH LINES. Quito rocently tho city tramways havo boon put on a basis wlrich is generally ndmitbed to bo n paying one, but now, as soon as the profit-earning capabilities of tho system aro in a fair way (o become established, tho Oity Council lias been besieged with a number of applications from outside districts, which, if granted, would dissipate all tho profits and a little more. At any rate this is the opinion of the exports. Wadestown people havo asked to have tho fintvneos of their little lino pooled with those of tho city. The City Council at its last meeting refused a request from Karori to have tho car mileage chargo from tho city to tho Karon Iwrough reduced l>elow tho rate of 0110 shilling, Miraniar has been grumbling for a long, timo about the fares to their suburb, and there has been much talk establishing thero a separato generating plant to bo run by the borough, with the aid of ,whicli the Miraniar Council could run all its trams ou its own lines, independently of the city eervices. Can the City Absorb Miramar'f There is a further proposal that Miraniar should bo absorbed into tho city wholly. A conference on the nibject of communication between the city and Miramar, and nlso on the subject of possiblo amalgamation, rocently took place between tho Mayor of Wellington (Mr. J. P. Luke) and the Mayor of Miramar (Mr. T. Townscnd). • Asked as to the outcomo of this conference, the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) made a short statement on Saturday. "I had a consultation with Mr. l'ownsend," he said, "and I told him in effect that when ho had any information of a definite character, I would see that an opportunity would be given to his council to make representations to the City Council in reference to tho proposed amalgamation. Whether the time is ripe for this is of course a matter of opinion. To mo a scheme of the kind would be more attractive at a time wh«a money is cheaper than it is now._ There is one thing which lias to bo considered first and foremost— we must see that proper acoount is taken of the relative values of tho different areas to be amalgamated, and their responsibilities. No doubt Miramar has spoilt largo sums of money in development works, but how far tlieso works would fit in with the requirements of the city (if amalgamation takes place) is a matter that only can be decided- after careful 6orutimy. Miramar lias geno in for several services, and it is possiblo that these may connect up with tho city as economically as if they had been part of tho original city scheme. On tho other hand certain expenses may have been incurred, and works established which would make the assimilation unprofitable. Whatever happens it may be taken as certain that, in any negotiations that may bo entered into, tlie. general interest of tho city will not be subordinated to outsido interests. We are not going to shoulder responsibilities created by an out side ljorough if it appears to bo to tho disadvantage of our own peoplo to do so." . & Ferry Schemes. What aro your opinions on. tho Miramar tramway and fexry schemes? the Mayor was asked. "I am not at all enthusiastic about tho prospects of Mimmar's scheme for breaking away from the city tram scrvice, running passengers, on their own lines through the cutting io the wharf, and from there conveying tliem to the city by ferry. One ferry boat (which wouHl cost them about .£25,01)0) would giro thom a less frequent servicß than now have, and might not prove sufficient to cope with rush traffic. Tho running expenses of tho scheme would bo heavy, the transit Would be slower, and provision would havo to,, bo made for the times when tho boat would havo to be laid aside for inspection and overhaul. If, as is suggested, they put in a Diesel engine to generate-their own power for cars in their own territory, they must not forget - t-lio expenses which, they will have to incur on account of run-, ning cost, depreciation, and increased' capital charges. These are all factors which tho Mimmar peoplo will havo to consider beforo fully cutting looso from the Wellington tramway system. "The assumption that the charge of a shilling per car mile (made by tho city to the borough of Miramar) is one that can ba reduced is not borne out by the experience of tho City Council, or by the advice tendered by the Tramways Board. Tho cost of running the trams has con? tinually been increased owing to the higher rates required for lalxnir and other elements, but tho charge to tho borough has never been raised. Tho expenses per car milo in the city last year wcro 10.56 d., but last month the charge was reduced to 10.2! d. • It must be remembered, however, that tho expenses per car milo are greater in Miramar than in Wellington, for the current has to bo taken farther, against resistance, and repairs, and maintenance also cost more at that 'distance. I believe that the actual oost of the Karori servloe to tho city last year was a halfpenny more than-Is.,- and for Miramar I tnink it was ll.Gd. So that the city- make? nothing out of either service.