TRAMWAY EXTENSION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 481, 16 September 1909, Page 2

TRAMWAY EXTENSION.

DISCUSSED BY BOROUGH COUNCIL.

PROPOSAL IN FAVOUR OF EXTENSION TO GREATFORD CARRIED.

At the Borough Council meeting on Monday night the Mayor, Mr G. H. Stiles,- stated that, in accordance with a resolution passed at a previous meeting, he and Cr Gibbs attended, the meeting of delegates ol Local Bodies recently held at Sanson, when a scheme was laid before them by Cr McKenzie, of the Manawatu County Council, relative to a proposed extension from Pukenui into Bulls. An estimate of the cost of construction was read from Mr Fulton, Engineer, which was stated to be but it was thought the cost might be nearer It was a suggestion to the meeting that the amount apportioned to each local body be : Manawatu Council 4-BUIS, Raugitikei 2-Bths, Foxton Boiough Council i-Bth, and Bulls Town Board 1 -Bth. This would mean that the Foxton Borough would be called upon to find a yearly interest charge on ,£375, which at 4 x /z per cent-would be 17s 6d, Any money that the Council placed into this scheme would earn its proportionate dividend, if any, and if the Government took over the line at a later date, all monies expended on the extension would be refunded to the different local bodies pro rata. The Mayor said that he was personally favourable to a scheme of extension, as it was adding another link which would eventually connect them to the main line, but he pointed out at the conference that he was sure a scheme having for its object the connecting with Greatford instead of Bulls, would meet with more support from his Council, as there was no guarantee at present that if the line were taken into Bulls that it would be carried further, and he stated that the opinion of the delegates present was that this would be the most satisfactory course. The Mayor stated that it was necessary that the Council should express an opinion on this matter, as until each local body had done so, the matter would be held up. Cr Speirs said that he did not think that the Council should bear any of the cost of the tram being extended to Bulls. They had paid think that much benefit had been derived. Even if the tramway weie extended to Marton, he could not see how it would benefit Foxton to any extent.

Cr Rimmer said he favoured the extension, and considered that the annual cost of £l6 17s 6d would be money well spent, as Foxton would no doubt benefit to a great extent.

Cr Adams also spoke in favour of the extension.

Cr Coley said that they had been paying for the present line for 30 years, and he thought they had now paid their share. It was only a matter of a mile to extend it to Bulls, and he could not see where the benefit to Foxton would come

Cr Speirs moved, and Cr Coley seconded, that the Foxton Borough Council canuot see its way to bear any expense in reference to the extension of the tramway to Bulls.

An amendment was moved by the Mayor, and seconded by Cr Levett, that the Council will agree to pay a proportion of the cost of tramway extension, providing that the scheme will be for the extension from Pukenui to Greatford.

The amendment was carried, Crs Coley, Speirs and Robinson voting against it,