SUBURBAN TRAMS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 204, 17 May 1918, Page 7

SUBURBAN TRAMS

SERVICES NOT PAYING

CITY COUNCIL TO INCREASE

CHARGES

Last evening the following report from Mr. W. 11. Morton, General Manugcr of Tramways, was presented to the City Council:—

"Ko Cost of Eunning Borough Services.—l have to Teport for the year ended March 31 last as follows:—In the caso of tho Miramar and Seatonn lines, the revenue received from car mileage duo averaged 12.45 d. per car mile, while the operating cost amounted (o-13.113d. per car mile, a loss of .69d. per car mile, or A-208 Bs. Od. for the year. "Ou tho Knrori line tho total cost of operating is shown to be 13.710 d. per car mile, which, with a revenue slightly over 13.5 d. per car mile, givc3 a'loss of JESb lis. 3d. on the year's working. "The operating costs given represent tho averages for last year,' and consequently the, present costs per car mile aro higher on account of tho increase in tho price of fuel and materials which has occurred during the past few months. "It will be recollected that tho charge per car milo to both boroughs was raised by a halfpenny last July, which brought the cost up to 12.53. for Hiruinar and 13.5 d. for Karori.

"Although the loss on the Karori lino may bo considered small, I would point out that in preparing statements of tho oporating costs, the average cost of tho repairs and maintenance over the whole system has been adopted, and is thorefore bolow tho actual figure due to tho long ancTheavy grades on tho Karori lines. \

"In view of tho position revealed, I beg to recommend that the ohargo per car mile to both boroughs be increased by on» halfpenny from Juno 1 next." The Mayor moved the adoption of tho General Manager's report. He said that the City Council had no right to carry on theso undertakings at a loss. The Tramways Committee regretted that they had to recommend the extra charge, but tho position was forced upon thorn. Councillor W. T. Hiidreth moved that tho consideration of the report should bo held over. He did not think that the council should look to make anything like a big profit on the lines to the adjoining boroughs. Facilities had to be provided for tho people to go out into the suburbs.

Councillor E. A. Wright seconded Councillor Hildrcth's motion.

The Mayor: The position is that there is a known loss, and it is our duty to the citizens of Wellington to overtake it.

"Why should we sell anything for less than it costs us?" asked Councillor W. A.Veitch.

Councillor C. B. Norwood said that he was one of those who believed that the trams should bo used to assist extension to the suburbs, and to relieve congestion in the city, but as this would not increase tho capital valuo of tho city, he thought a proposal to reduce tho loss from .69 per cent, by .5 per cent, was reasonable. He thought that more notice might have been given of the council's iutentiou. \

Councillors L. M'Kenzie and J. 0. Sliorland supported the amendment in "order to secure further notico for the boroughs.

The Engineer's report was adopted,