A KAIWARRA COMPLAINT

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 72, 22 September 1930, Page 8

A KAIWARRA COMPLAINT

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—Some years ago when the Borough of Onslow amalgamated and became a part of Greater Wellington, the bait of trams to Kaiwarra was thrown out to the ratepayers of that area. At that time an embargo was held by the Kailway Department and tram lines could not be laid along the Hutt road. We were promised that every endeavour would be made to have this embargo lifted. This was done, and the City Council was at liberty to lay a track along the Hutt road to the boundary, this shortly after amalgamation. Somewhere about this time the City Council took a poll for various loans, and amongst other items carried was "the extension of the tram service to Kaiwarra." The ratepayers of Kaiwarra were assured, from time to time, "that the tram lines would be laid at the same time as the bitumen, thus making one job of_ both. However, things went on —the bitumen was laid—but no tram line. Shortly after, overhead wires were put up and a curiosity called a "trackless" tram began to run between the Kaiwarra Post .Oflice and .the Thorndon tram terminus, a dis; tance of approximately three-quarters ot a mile. We, the ratepayers, here at first put this down as a very temporary affair, and for some time took it as a sort of joke, hoping that in tha near.future we would have an extended and more permanent service, but we were doomed, as Kaiwarra usually is, to disappointment. This trackless car has, as I have said, its terminus at Thorndon. If a person takes this car the possibility is that person may have to wait some five minutes before being able to continue the journey. This especially applies to the afternoon serjvice. But, acting on the principle that half a loaf i§ better than none, we have put up till now, with the convenience, and the inconvenience of this so-called service. The hours of running are ridiculous, it runs up to 9.30 a.m. It does not run from then till midday. It does not run after 6.30 p.m., except on Fridays 10 p.m. It does not run on Sundays* It does not run on holidays, and now we are told, it will not run on Fridays after 6.30 p.m. It will not run tn Saturdays after 2.30 p.m., and the first trip in the morning is to bo cut out. I guess this is going past the joke stage, and is becoming a serious matter. We are told that "the trackless does not pay." Surely the council cannot take this as a separate service, this three-quar-ters of a mile, and the last lap of the Thorndon section. How many last laps do pay, excepting those having attractions for the public, other than the mere fact of getting to work and getting home again, etc. The takings on this three-quarter mile average from £13 to £10 per week, and only a penny ride. Taking this as a feeder to the Thorudon car, and allowing that travellers take one section only from Thorndon ■ terminus, it must increase the takings on that section, and surely this increase should be put to the credit of the .trackless, and if so done, would show that the service is not the loss that the council would like us to believe. Have we, as ratepayers, not the right to expect the same consideration as is given to others? Compare, for instance, the inconveniences we are asked "to put up with, with the conveniences extended to all other ends of the tram service. We | have been reminded that motor buses pass [through here every 15 minutes. That is 'so, but these buses serve other areas, and are usually too full to'pick up passen;gers here. Also the charge is excessive, being 6d to Lambton, single, fare. We have a very valuable area here, and pay !to the City Council a goodly sum in rates. [The cost of upkeep is practically, nil. i Surely we are worthy of some considerai tion, and- instead of the continual reduction of this service, we. should be given further conveniences. lam in hopes, Sir, that you will publish this letter so that ratepayers in other areas may know now we are treated here, and who may at some time assist us to obtain better condietc., DISGUSTED .