A MATTER OF POLICY

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2292, 28 October 1914, Page 6

A MATTER OF POLICY

TRAMWAY PROFITS AND THE PATRIOTIC FUND. ' 'A deputation consisting of Messrs. 0. P. Skerrett, C. B. Grange, and C. Q. Wilson, representing the Sports and Entertainment Committee of the Mayor's Patriotic Fund Committee, waited on the Tramways Committee of the City Council yesterday afternoon. Mr. Skerrett stated-that they had come to the committee to apply for some allowance from the profits made by the ttramways -relative to tho various ehows that were run by the Sports Committee. Those were the cricket match, at tho Basin Reserve-, which attracted many hundreds of people , ; the military sports at Newtown Park, wnich drew some thousands of people to the park nhd the Zoo, and thoLyall Bay treasure hunt, which was hardly eo successful. Hβ -submitted that the committee was not unreasonable in asking for a donation to the fund ,as the receipts must have been considerably increased by the attractions mentioned, and some allowance could fairly be made to the fund ion that account!. Mr. Skerrett admitted that such action might involve a precedent, and that other bodies might make demands for a donation on the same grounds, -hut the case was quite exceptional and might never come again. Ho asked that a proportion of Uhe increased takings of the tramways for the days mentioned be given as a donation to the fund.

Tho Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) said that the matter raised by Mr. Skerret was one to do with the policy of the council. Ho pointed'out that the council had incurred considerable expense in providing facilities for tho public to reach the park and tho Zoo lately. The cost of tho work had to come out of revenue, and tho tramways revenue was very tender this year. It was a matter of some concern to keep the tramways revenue strong. Still; he knew that the , committee in spirit would liko very much to assist, and the request would be considered and a reply sent in due course. Mr. Grange pointed out that the improvements effected in the tracks at Newtown were for all time, and the cost of them should not woich against the request'of the Snorts Committee.