EASTBOURNE ’BUSES

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12620, 3 December 1926, Page 11

EASTBOURNE ’BUSES

BOROUGH TO PURCHASE POLL OF RATEPAYERS APPROVES. By 262 to 71 the electors of Eastbourne have approved of the proposals of the Borough Council to borrow £BOOO to purchase the motor-’bus service, which is tantamount to a vote of confidence in the council in its request, to the ratepayers to approve the scheme. Out of 833 ratepayers only 334 visited the polling booth, which is a very low percentage, even allowing for the fact that the weather/was so bad. There were two polling stations, one at Wellington, where the voting was 121 for %nd 35 against, with one informal, and the other at Eastbourne, where the voting Was 141 to 36 in favour. Mr H. M. Jones, Mayor of Eastbourne, states that the ’buses will be taken over at the earliest opportunity, but 21 days had to elapse before anything could be dome in that direction. The council hoped that the purchase of the ’buses would prove a profitable investment for the borough, and so justify the council in asking the ratepayers to sanction the expenditure. They would also endeavour to remedy any losses on the ferry service. The fleet comprises , eight ’buses which the vendors are prepared to sell for £7650, £IOO further being allowed for the purchase of tools and sundries, and £250 for the oostNpf raising the loan.- The security for the loan is a rate of a penny and one-sixth in the £ for 20 years on the unimproved value. GARAGE FOR ’BUSES The present garage used for housing the ’buses does not belong to the proprietors of the ’bus service, but is leased by them. The Mayor (Mr H. M. Jones) informed a “Times” representative last night that it was the intention of the Borough Council to take over that lease, and also to renew it, if possible, later.