The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1908. THE COUNTRY TRAMWAY SCHEME.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2144, 20 March 1908, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1908. THE COUNTRY TRAMWAY SCHEME.

Now that the Cook County Council has by unanimous vote decided to refer a tramway scheme for the eartago of metal to its Engineer for report, there seems a reasonable bopo that we are approaching the time when some definite action will be taken to put tho roads of tho County and Borough into decent condition. For years thoro have been schemes of various kinds propounded from time to time, having for their object tho settlement of the vexed question of metal supply, and the present is by no means the first tramway proposal that- has come forward, but Councillor Afatthews is to be congratulated upon boing the first to introduce a proposal in such a definite and complete form tint it can receive serious consideration from the Council. He appears to have gone into tho whole question most thoroughly, and in regard to obtaining supplies from Ratutahi, has laid before tho Council a quantity of lory valuable information. If his figures and conclusions are correct —and cn this point Mr. Matthews can claim to speak with authority—it would evidently he thoroughly sound business for the Council to. proceed ,to carry out the work. So confident is tho promoter that his facts and figures enu be verified, tiiat he himself . proposed that they bo referred to the County Engineer for confirmation or otherwise. Briefly put, the scheme provides for the laying, down of a well-equipped tramway from Gisborne to Ratutahi, via the abattoirs, .at a cost of £25,000, which sum also covers the price of rolling stock and the first year’s interest. By allowing 2s 6d per yard as cartage charges to the County Council and 3s to the Borough Council, it is estimated that tho 'work would show a profit, at tho same time that it would savo both bodies a very largo amount annually. Whether or not Mr. Matthews’ scheme, *s at present submitted, or in a modified form, be given effect to, there seems no doubt but that sooner or later all the local bodies in this district will bo compelled to look to tramways as tho only profitable method of obtaining metal supplies. The waggon system has been tried, and has proved a dismal failure, simply by reason of tho fact that tho waggons and horses ruin tho roads they are being used to maintain. The net result has been that our streets and roads liavo remained in a deplorable condition. The heavy cost per load has made it almost prohibitive to obtain a supply sufficient to provide for properlyconstructed streets, therefore a wretched piecemeal method', of patching the thoroughfares has been followed. With the metal carted on tramways, largo supplies eoidd be obtained when they were wanted, and without any damage to the roads, whilst, as Air. Matthews points out, tho cost per load would ho very greatly decreased. Tho question may arise in connection with the present scheme, why Waihirero was not con-, sidered. The obvious reply is that tho Council has Patutahi quarry, but not Waihirero, and naturally will deal with its own property, but this is an aspect that need have no weight with the Borough Council in ■ any negotiations it may have in baud. However, the latter body would probably consider it- wise to accept a contract with the City Council on the terms suggested by Cr. Matthews, rather than venture on q similar undertaking of its own. Whatever he tho outcome, Air. Alatthews is entitled to the thanks of the community for having once more raised a vital issue in county and municipal affairs, and in h iving submitted a well-thought-out scheme that is entitled to earnest consideration. Jle placed it before the Council in a short speech, in which tho chief features were clearly outlined, and presented tho mutter in such a light, that the Council unanimously decided to obtain a report thereon from its Engineer. The complete proposals provided for taking the line as far as Waingake, but finding that the extension was likely to prejudice tho success of the scheme, the promoter wisely restricted, its scope. Once the Jine has been taken to Patutahi and has proved successful in its working, there would, in all probability be little difficulty in arranging for its extension to other parts of tho. County.