TRAMWAY EXTENSION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 479, 11 September 1909, Page 3

TRAMWAY EXTENSION.

DISCUSSION IN THE MANA' WATU COUNCIL.

Considerable discussion took place at Wednesday’s meeting of the Manawatu County Council on the report of the conference with reference to the extension of the tram line to Bulls.

The Chairman said one phase of the matter to which sufficient attention had not been paid was that portion of the scheme which had been proposed was to take up about a mile of rails leading to the gravel pit and use them for the extension to Bulls. He did not think it was lair to take those rails, which had cost the ratepayers and utilise them tor the work, for which the Council was only asked to contribute a portion of the cost. In regard to the scheme, he thought threeeights too much to ask the Council to pay, especially when they remembered that some years ago the Rangitikei County Council had suggested in connection with the proposed extension of the tram to Bulls, that the contribution of the Manawatu County Council should be only Cr McKenzie said it was generally understood that the scheme agreed upon was to include the taking up of the rails. The Chairman objected to that. Cr McKenzie suggested that it should be pointed out to the Rangitikei County Council that if these rails were to be given it was quite sufficient to contribute threeeights of the cost, instead of half, as was asked. The Chairman could not agree to that. Cr Mckenzie said Mr John Stevens was so convinced of the success of the extension that he was willing to give security over his private property for the repayment of the interest charges if there were a loss. Cr Masters objected to any scheme being put before the ratepayers which did not include the., extension to Greatford. They would never carry a loan for the extension to Bulls only. The ratepayers would not see the advantage of it, and the Foxton delegate strongly objected also. The poll would be a failure unless the proposal was to continue to Marton or Greatford. Cr McKenzie said no extension carried out had been a failure. Cr Masters believed that one of the greatest objections to the extension was that the line was going over the bridge. Personally he would prefer to meet the tram, to meeting many of the motor cars travelling about. Cr Dalton considered it would be a paltry thing to lay before the ratepayers the extension to Bulls. Many wanted the extension to Greatford. Cr McKenzie asked what portion would the Manawatu County Council contribute toward the cost of the extension to Greatford —half ? *

Cr Masters : Yes, because there would be no doubt about the line paying. Cr Barber said the large scheme would secure the support of the ratepayers, but the extension to Bulls would not. Cr McKenzie said he was sorry he was not at the Council at the time the extension to Bulls was proposed, if the Manawatu County Council was to contribute He thought the Council should support tbe extension to Bulls as the first link. He was willing to agree to the alteration. The Chairman reminded the Council that the great obstacles experienced in endeavouring to get extensions had been made by the Government. Mr Seddon strongly objected to any extension unless it was made by the Government. The Chairman said he intended to propose a motion to the effect that the Council could only approve of a scheme to extend the line to Marton or Bulls. Cr McKenzie said if the Government refused to sanction the line, of course that took the responsibility from their shoulders. He had been surprised by the general opinion of councillors against the extension only to Bulls, and he had looked up the minutes and ascertained that in October last the Council had decided to inform the Bulls Town Board that the tramway would be extended to Bulls if the other local bodies were prepared to contribute to the cost. He did not like to do anything to choke off the other local bodies, and he thought the motion the chairman suggested would have that effect. He would like to propose a resolution on different lines. Some discussion ensued, and it was eventually, resolved, on the motion of Cr. Masters, seconded by Cr. Henson : That while this Council is prepared to extend the tramway, it is not prepared to pay half the cost of the extension to Bulls; and, further, considers that when a scheme is placed before the ratepayers it' should be to complete the connection with Greatford.