MIRAMAR TRAMWAYS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8355, 15 February 1913, Page 3

MIRAMAR TRAMWAYS

OPENING OF LINE TO GASWORKS. A CIVIC FUNCTION. A civic function in connection with tho opening of the tramway line from the Miramar wharf to the Gasworks was held yesterday afternoon at Miramar. The rolling stock consists of a small steam motor and about half a dozen trucks and is to be used for the carriage of coal from the wharf to the gasworks. The lino is of the same gauge as the Miramar tramways, and it is intended to use the tram for the the conveyance of goods from Wellington if necessary. The cost to the Miramar Borough Council is something between £llOO and £I2OO. 'There was an attendance of about 200 at the opening ceremony. Tho visitors were shown over the gasworks and then adjourned to the Borough Council chambers, where afternoon tea was provided. The Mayor (Mr H. N. McLeod) in the course of an address expressed pleasure at seeing such a large attendance of visitors. Ho ] jointed out that tho borough had met the various bodies in respect to this work. Therefore it was a joint enterprise which they had come to see commenced that day. Every credit was due to the men who carried out this work, and he paid a high tribute to the late chairman of the Harbour Board and the late Mayor of Miramar for their foresight in the matter. It was intended to work this line in connection with tho tramway. Tho trucks could bo carried' anywhere over the city lines, and lie believed the City Council was agreeable to this course, so that in future they would perhaps see goods carried anywhere in Wellington on the tramway. They had other works at Miramar under w r ay, such as drainage, electric light extension and a new power-house, costing some £2OOO. They could thus supply electricity for industrial works and he hoped that some of the business men in « Wellington would find the space in the city too restricted for their industries and would go to Miramar. Mr D. J. Nathan said that it was a day to be remembered by Miramar. The Gas Compnay had done its share and had been met by the Borough Council. There had been no friction -whatever. It was only a question of time when the gasworks would be largely increased, and very probably tho employees would be doubled. He hoped tho council would do all it could to make Miramar as attractive as possible. Dr A. K. Newman, M.P., said ho was certain Miramar was going to advance. Wellington wa-s almost full and people would have to go into the suburbs like Miramar. The future of Miramar was very bright, and ho thought it could be made very attractive. The Government had sent Mr Allen Home, and he had been successful in raising a loanj and there would be plenty of money in New Zealand. He hoped before he died to see 60,000 or 70,000 people residing at Miramar. Mr Harold Beauchamp said that in 1897 Miramar was a most beautiful farm, and it was made a borough in 1904. It was then supposed to have a pojynlation cf 1000, and the -population to-day was 2000. The land was originally Wight for £-50 an acre and sold at a profit of £IOO per acre. Then it - was sold for £l5O per acre, and the Wellington gasworks when they purchased twelve acres had to pay £675 per acre. This showed how land had increased in value. However, values would adjust themselves in time. The Mayor said that he thought the question of high land values at Miramar could ,be easily disproved. Mr J. P. Luke tendered bis congratulations to the council arid other bodies interested in the opening of the tramway, and the function terminated.