KARORI AFFAIRS. EXPLAINED TO THE RATEPAYERS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 94, 22 April 1911, Page 15

KARORI AFFAIRS. EXPLAINED TO THE RATEPAYERS.

POSITION OF THE TRAMWAYS. Tramway and financial matters were fully explained at a- well-attended meeting of Karori ratepayers held at the Council Chambers last night. The Mayor (Mr. C.'l. Dasent) said he thought it only right, as he would not have another opportunity of addressing the ratepayers, to hold such a meeting. Explaining the financial position of the borough, the Mayor said that the receipts were as follow : — Tramways, £5295; rates, £3069; other receipts £683. Expenditure— -General, £3574; tramways, £3927 ; omnibus, £875 ; credit balance, £1044. Three years ago, when he came to the chair, there was a considerable deucieucy, but various credit balances had been obtained. The coun- ' cil had not been extravagant, and if ) money had not been spent for the pur- | pose for which it was voted, it had been brought forward- The- number ,of passengers carried on the trams for the past year was 779,592 and on the omnibuses 46,000 ■ odd. . The latter registered a loss of nearly £100, more than the previous year. Tenders were now being called for the sale, of the plant. A lengthy statement, outlining* the position of the tramways, was also given by the Mayor. The loss for the first year, he said, would be about £800. which was very nearly the sum outline? two years ago. The traffic was increasing steadily, and after the spring it would increase considerably. The council had to pay 6s a day for the overlaying of the cars, which was a serious matter. It was, however, only a temporary affair, and would be improved when the Karori terminus was altered. At present the cars were shedded at Newtown, but Thorndon would be the place later on. * The council could not at present select its time-table,' as it was dependent on the requirements of the city services, but this would soon be altered. The borough required a rest as soon as it was trammed- from end to end. It should then be allowed to strengthen itself, as, for some years to come, there would be heavy calls' for other purposes. The trams were exceedingly costly> but it must be remembered that the population was only 1600 'or 1700. The trams carried the entire population every day, Sundays and all, and between 400 and 500 besides, and had not even begun to pay interest and sinking fund. The system was doing all that could be expected of it, yet it did not meet its obligations by a long way. The new council should endeavour to reduce the loss as much as possible. There was no intention of striking a rate this coming year for iramway extension. If there was any rate, it would probably not exceed 3-16 d, but the people would get it fired into them next year. It therefore behoved the council to nurse tho line as much as possible. The borough loans were not large. In three years, there had been a shrinkage of £17,000 in the rating value. This caused him a little uneasiness, as he did not know how far they had to go before they reached bot- [ torn in these values. Care would have i to be exercised by the new council in i the matter of raising additional loans. The interest charges on existing loans amounted to £3540. Jn conclusion, the Mayor paid a very high tribute to tils etoff. He thanked the people for the , courtesy they had always extended him. t (Loud applause.) ' The Mayor-Elect (Mt. C. Cathie) quite agreed' that the council must go slow. He was nob at all frightened at their loans, the" total of which was a reasonable percentage to the unimproved value and compared favourably with. Wellington. A poll would probably be held later to divert present Joan money i -to .other purposes. - A publio hall was needed. The money could be utilised for a town hall and council chambers combined. Something should be done to popularise the park. He suggested that the people should contribute trees for planting oa Arbor Day. The tramway traffic must be encouraged in every j reasonable way. The speaker returned thanks to th© ratepayers for electing him unopposed. He did not anticipate leading them into any enterprises more than obtained at present. Many narrow streets had to be widened and he asked those affected not to require then* pound of flesh. - (Laughter.) Councillor W. T. Hildreth was in favour of obtaining a report on. the question of shortening the route to the city. A committee jshould be set up for this purpose. It was all very well to talk of a rest, but they could' not afford it. Every suburH desired better access with the city, and Karori musb keep vp t in the competition. Councillors H. Standen and B. G. H. Burn- also addressed the meeting. The latter opposed a line via Kelburne, but favoured a shorter route. Councillors Hamilton, M. Anderson, W. 3. Bradnock, J. T. Horn, and W. Frosb returned thanks for their election.