CHANGING TIMES

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 22, 26 January 1934, Page 5

CHANGING TIMES

TEAFFIC TO THE BATS

TOWN CLERK'S REPORT

, Some interesting' observations on the | future of traffic to Eastbourne and Day's Bay were contained in a report to the Eastbourne Borough Council by the- Town Clerk and General Manager (Mr. C. L. BIsHop) last evening. It was difficult to tell wha* was tha rosult of the reduced, fare on'the 10 a.m. boat, stated Mr. Bishop, as ths weather had been so unsettled. He thought, however, the experiment would not prove successful from a financial point of view. While the natural beauties and facilities of the bays were unequalled in and about Wellington, something more than natural facilities-was ro'quircd. A large sum would require to be spent on, say, Williams Park, Day's Bay, to keep it abreast of the times, but, as the park was under the jurisdiction of the City Council, that was out of the' question. The private motor-car and the buses had taken so much of the'ferry traffic in Teccnt years,- and with a wider range of choice now offering.to the people of Wellington at the various pleasure resorts, the ferry revenues must continue to keep to the present low level. The lowering of fares and the running, of additional trips from places such as Petone and Miramar would not help matters materially unless the council had something new in the way of attractions to offer the people. The bays would have in the future to. b« looked upon more in the light' of permanent residential localities and not considered mainly as picnic and pleasure resorts. The transport services for th« future would, need to be considered from this point of view. QUESTION OF FAXES. The question of the relation of fares to traffic to the bays was discussed by the council. At the December meeting of the council it was decided from December 18 until February ,2 to make "the return or single fare from Wellington Is for adults and 3d for children on the 10 a.m. ship only, Mondays to Fridays inclusive, and excluding the principal holiday*. Councillor A. ,T. K. Duncan, who at the previous meeting opposed the reduction in fare on the one ship, -said the Is fare on the one ship had caused a great deal of complaint. He moved that from February 1 to March 31 the fares on all ships be. Is return ,■ for adults. The fare for children conld remain as it was. The Mayor (Mr. E. W. Wise) said he was the mover of the original motion that the fare be' Is from the beginning of tho holidays for a period of two months, but lie withdrew his motion at the previous meeting in favour of tho motion that was finally carried. He still considered his former views wer« right, so agreed with Councillor Duncan, and seconded the motion. In hii opinion the people today wanted cheap means of transport. The whole thing was a gamble, and he thought they should try it out for themselves. Councillor G. Y. Berry said the reduced fares on seaside excursions had not been' a success in Christchurch,mainly because -of 'unfavourable weather. In Eastbourne he did not think the council should have control of the boats, but that tho general manager should have complete charge, and make tho necessary adjustments of the t-unsing of the ships so as to make ths best returns of revenue.' . - POLICY OF TRANSPORT. The Mayor said it was for the council to lay down the policy for transport. The Town Clerk and Genoral Manager had many opportunities for control <md decision between the meetings. Councillor C. H. Andrews said he was against a further change after the change made in December. ' ' ' - Councillor D. Bowie was of the opinion that the matter was too serious for the council to do any juggling. With better attractions, at the bays the people would n6t object to'the charges. He favoured a reduction •of fares in Jannary, but not in February and March. Councillor A. H. Macandrcw favoured the proposed reduction.- ') ; Councillor •M. Magill moved as an amendment that the fares be reduced during Saturdays and Sundays for the next month, because of the competition which the council's transport department met with from other traffic during the weekend. There was no seconder to the amendment. Councillor Berry moved another amendment, that a committee be set up to go into the matter with the Town Clerk in the next week with power to act. ■Councillor V. P. Haughton seconded this amendment, which was lost. As the motion was lost by 5 votes to 4, the position remains as.at present. .