MOTOR BUSES FOR LOWER HUTT

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2214, 29 July 1914, Page 8

MOTOR BUSES FOR LOWER HUTT

. MEETING OP.RATEPAYERS.-'.' The Lower" Hut t Town Hall Arcade was packed to the dooi's, last evening, when a meeting of Lower Hiitt ratepayers was held, at the' invitation of the Mayor (Mr: H. Baldwin), to discuss the proposed loan for a municipal bus service. Mr. Baldwin briefly outlined the scheme brought down.by the Motor Bus Committee, which followed- from the present owner being unable, to carry on the service."- The council' had been offered the"' concern for £'2000; but it had been thought wiser to set up a committee to report,on the.matter. The amount required'was £5400, for the purchase, of five buses at £750 each and the erection of a garage, but the' council had decided to borrow £3500 at first and begin with three buses. These buses would meet practically every train—l 4 outward'trains . and 17 inward trains daily. The cost per week for'.,No.- 1 route was> estimated at £19 10s.; No. 2, £17 10s.; and for the intermediate service, £7 17s. Bd., a total of £44 18s.-83. Mr. Baldwin added,, that an annual profit of £200 was shown, all expenditure had been placed at its highest, and in six years' time the buses should wipe out. their original cost.-

Mr. H. E.'Leighton pointed out that the sehemo did. not cater.for residents at the back Waiwetu or White's Line, and though they ihad consistently voted for every loan_ in tho past they intended to oppose this one strenuously. (Applause.) The chairman stated that it was impossible to run :the service to everyone's street or door, hut if in the future' sufficient inducement offered, the servicer would be extended to that area. The,'meeting was continued till a late hour, several more questions beilm asked and answered. The Mayor at the conclusion asked those .present to trust the' council to have a little pommoii sense. Personally he had every confidence, in the scheme, and he hoped that in the interests uf the borough the loan would be, sanctioned.