MOTOR ’BUS SERVICE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8338, 25 January 1913, Page 6

MOTOR ’BUS SERVICE

ACROSS KELBHKNH, RESIDENTS PROMISE SUPPORT TO THE SCHEME, Some information respecting thfc prospects of the company which is being formed to run a motor 'bus service across Kelburne, from tho cable tramway powerhouse to the Ivarori tunnel, was laid before a public meeting at Eelbume last night. The chairman, Mr T. Ward, said that there could be little doubt that the project would be a success. There was a large known traffic to cater for. they had it on the authority of tho tramways board of management that an electric lino across Kelhume would pay well, and if this wore true of a heavy tramway, with all its overhead equipment, etc., the prospects for a motor 'bus service must be very good indeed. It must be remembered that if the proposed service were started the Kel-burne-Kareri Company would reduce the up faro on its cable cars to one penny. Some critics of the project had said that the cable cars could not oopo with any increase in tho traffic, but the position was that as soon as the new company got started tho cable people would double their plant. There was thus no reason to suppose that tho cable cars would not be able to carry the people. The question was, could tho proposed company carry enough additional passengers down the cable car to earn the subsidy agreed to bo given by tho cable company ? As tho number required was 563 per day, ho maintained that this number could easily be obtained. Then the question as to whether the ’buses would pay waa answered by tho total subsidies of £6OO a year promised if tho company was floated. This, ho pointed out, of course went a long way towards materially reducing the ordinary expenses of running tho ’buses. Mr W. T. Mills said that a motor ’bus service similar to that proposed was operating very successfully in Mornington, Dunedin, on very steep grades. Tho Hon. A. L. Herdman said that tho proposal which had been submitted should meet with the hearty support of Kelburno people. Ho believed that the venture would be a profitable one to the shareholders, if propqrly launched, and also that it would iHrove to be a very great convenience to the district, especially to Northland people. His only doubt had been respecting the ability of tho cable cars to deal with an increased traffic; but that had been removed on bearing of the company s undertaking to double tho plant. It was pointed out by Mr Meek that the proposal was of great interest to all people living near to the cable lino, as they would profit from it through tho promised reduction in the cable car fares. Another speaker said that the Karori borough would save a great deal when tho motor service started, through being able to cut out many of tho cars now running between the gardens and tho tunnel. Replying to a question, the chairman said that in accordance with the articles of association the share-list would have to be closed at tho end of tho month, failing which they would have to start again de novo. At present they had £I6OO of the capital subscribed, leaving £I2OO more to be secured within the next sis or seven days. Ho thought that this should be easily obtained. The meeting carried a motion ext pressing approval of the project and pledging those present to do all possible to secure the required capital.