BROOKLYN TRAMS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 136, 6 December 1938, Page 7

BROOKLYN TRAMS

FARES AND ROUTES

LONGER SECTION SOUGHT

STATION AS TERMINUS

Brooklyn residents who formed a deputation last night sought Aro Street-Railway Station as their final section, and were informed that the matter would be considered when the Post Office-Customhouse Quay new route was finished next Easter. Appreciating the efforts of the City Council to improve the Brooklyn Road, Dr. L. G. Austin outlined matters which still needed attention at Picket's Corner, Till's Corner, and the Todman Street-Ohiro Road Corner. Referring to the request made in Februai*y that the new railway station be made the terminus for Brooklyn cars, he said that the Mayor had assured them the request would be acceded to, but Mr. Cable had protested. Dealing with those objections, he pointed out that certain trams did not now run direct to the station, though this need not await the laying of the Waterloo Quay loop, as' there were lines connecting Willis Street, Customhouse Quay, and Featherstoh Street. It was only a case of arranging a time-table for the services. Every other suburb in Wellington was tramserved to within proximity of the station, except Brooklyn and Te Aro, both working men's areas. SECTIONS COMPARED. Dealing with the cost of fares, and maintaining that the city section should be Aro Street-Railway Station, he said that the city section. Courtenay Place to the station, was 121 chains long, and between Aro Street and the station, depending on the routes 110, 111, and 118 chains, all shorter than the Courtenay Place-station section. Brooklyn people were entitled to the same privileges as the rest of the people of Wellington. The Brooklyn people were inconvenienced in having to change cars to reach the station, and were also penalised in fares, which ranged from 4d to sd. Everywhere else the through fare for two sections was 3d. Dr. Austin quoted figures from the city's abstract of accounts to show that councillors could not claim that they had no money. They were rolling in wealth. He cited, as expenditure on schemes which did not directly be?iefit the masses, the hangars account £11,854, Centenary account £10,000, western access £7000. In Brooklyn they still desired a swimming bath and the completion of the Mornington Road. He asked how it was that councillors could find some £130,000 for the Centennial. Referring to the amounts which Dr. Austin had stated as being in the hands of the council, Councillor R. A. Wright asked if he were aware that many of the accounts, which he named, were set apart for special purposes. COMMON FAIRNESS. Mr. J. Russell, representing the Vogeltown and Mornington Association, said that the council had carried out appreciated improvements in ( their districts, but very little had been done as far as transport was concerned. Had the members of the council ever considered the basic point that it was not just or proper that any section of citizens should be treated differently from other sections? Brooklyn residents were certainly not treated as were residents in other suburbs in regards tram fares, for they paid a far higher fare for the same distance than was asked of any other suburb. As to transport, between Brooklyn and Vogeltown and Mornington, said Mr. Russell, the stumbling block was Mornington Road, but nevertheless improvements could be made to the bus service fully warranted by the business that was already offering. He was wholly in accord with the protest made by the people of Brooklyn against being called upon to pay twice the fares others had to pay and against the necessity to change trams to reach the Railway Station. The matter raised would be considered by the council, said Mr. His-i lop. A route via the Post Office and Customhouse Quay was being undertaken, and when that was done they would consider carrying the section right down. The work had been held up by negotiations and other works which had to be done first, but it should be finished by next Easter. When comparing Brooklyn fares with other districts' fares, other matters than distances should be considered, Brooklyn had a heavy haul. The council wished to bring fares down, but transport difficulties must be known. Of tramway undertakings, that of Wellington was the only one to keep its head above water. They would find that in Christchurch and Auckland heavy costs had been met by heavy increases in fares. Wellington had kept on a sound basis, and had been able to make extensions without getting into difficulties. As far as the Mornington-Brooklyn bus was concerned, continued Mr. Hislop, he himself had brought up the matter at a meeting of the committee, and if it was found possible without loss it would be done. Additional rolling stock was being secured, including a lighter type of bus. EXHIBITION EXPENDITURE. "Dr. Austin has spoken of the council finding £'130,000 for the Centennial Exhibition." said the Mayor. "I wish to point out that the full amount we have expended is £25,000 in the form of shares, which we hope to get back in full. In other directions we are spending .£50,000 out of a general fund which we have accumulated for some time for permanent city improvements. They are not for the Exhibition, though they will improve access to it, but they are city improvements for all time. Even if this could be included, the total would be £75.000, and not £130,000. "Dr. Austin says that the council has spent £84,000-. on the aerodrome. The position is this: the Government granted a subsidy of £30,000. Loans of £13,800 were raised, and revenue was £39,000, a total of £52,000, not £84,000." NOT TILL, ROUTE LAID. A member of the deputation: Before we retire, can you tell us ■whether the residents of Brooklyn and Mornington are to get justice by a ■ two-section through fare to the station? Mr. Hislop: The matter will be considered as soon as the route is opened. Can it not be considered now and an assurance given?

Mr. Hislop: The matter will be fully considered when the route is opened.