CARS TO NEWTOWN PARK

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8360, 21 February 1913, Page 10

CARS TO NEWTOWN PARK

DOUBLE TRACK EXTENSION TO BE MADE. A double line of car tracks is to be laid from the present ;tramway terminus at Newtown up to the park gates, and if possible tho Tvork will be completed before the Carnival at Easter. The question was discussed by the City Council last night on a recommendation by the tramways committee: “That the tramways board ho granted authority to alter the track at the Russell terrace tramway terminus, towards the entrance of the Newtown Park, with a view to providing for extra traffic to the park.” The estimated cost of the work was £75. The Mayor stated that the committee had considered the matter with the idea of carrying the track right up to the park gates. He believed that it would be advisable to do this as speedily as possible. It would be sound business to carry people up to the park. He therefore asked the council to amend the clause by adding an authorisation to the tramways board to proceed with the extension of a sir gjo track as speedily as possible. It could be converted into a double track later, but it might be possible to have the single track laid before the carnival at Easter. Mr Morton, tho chairman ot the tramways .board, was strongly of opinion that a single track should be laid as soon as possible. The motion was seconded by Councillor Fletcher. Councillor Shirtcliffe said he believed that the line should bo extended to the park gates, but it would be better to wait until a double track could be laid. It seemed a bit absurd to do the work piecemeal as proposed. Councillor McKenzie thought that in the following winter there would be tremendous football crowds at the park, and he would support the motion. If tho thing were worth going on with, it should be worth proceeding with at once. Tho Carnival was not the only reason for tho work. Councillor Barber said that simply because the Mayor attended the “merrymakers” at the park the previous night was no reason for the prosecution of the work. ’ Tho Mayor: I strongly advocated this before I visited the park, and I don't want my words misconstrued and misrepresented. . Councillor Barber thought it would be absolute folly to put down a single track and the nopen up tho road again for a double track. The Constable street extension was wanted. Councillor Fuller: You are getting off tho track. (Laughter.) The council rejected the Mayor s proposal, but a motion by Councillor Barber instructing the tramways board to make a double track extension was carried, by 11 votes to 2. . With this addition the committee s recommendation was adopted.