UNDER POWER BOARD

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 215, 30 November 1927, Page 12

UNDER POWER BOARD

Citizens Suggest Handing Over of Control of City Tramways

‘ SOMETHING MUST BE DONE”

IT was seriously suggested, at a meeting of delegates from local bodies and the Citizens’ Committee, last evening, that the tramways and electric power undertakings had so much in common, that the Auckland Power Board might well relieve the City Council of the tramway undertaking.

r J I HE discussion was introduced by the chairman, MT. E. H. Potter, Mount Eden, who said that many areas had no financial responsibility, and such a move would prove a valuable nucleus to the metropolitan control of all regional services. CITY’S DIFFICULTY Mr. T. Bloodworth said the suggestion of the board taking over the trams was of considerable importance. The City Council was in a difficulty, not perhaps wholly of its own making. Obviously if the Power Board took over tramways it would call on the outside areas to shoulder their own responsibilities. There was a big difficulty from the outset if the council were not prepared to part with the undertaking. (Laughter.) The suggestion seemed to put forward the possibility of a helpful solution, if it were taken in the proper spirit. The council had too much in hand, and the board had more chance of dealing with the difficulty. “It is a possible line-out, that we, as citizens, might well ask these bodies to discuss,” he concluded.

Mr. Titchener, New Lynn, said a difficulty, from the outside point of view, was that they were being asked to come along and shoulder the results of bad business in the past. Private enterprise had given a good service, but there was little moral claim coming from the city now. “We must look at things in the broader light,” remarked Mr. G. L. Taylor. “I am sure that if the board could assist the outside bodies would feel better about it, and take things as they are.” “There is no doubt that we are coming to a transport board,” remarked Mr. Gray Campbell. “We might put this suggestion up to the Government immediately, if the outside bodies are in agreement.” NOT AS "CHAIRMAN” Mr. W. J. Holdswoith at this stage made it quite clear that he represented the Citizens' Committee, and not the Power Board. He doubted the wisdom of passing any resolution before the outside bodies called a special meeting to discuss the position. If a commission were set up the public bodies could present a strong case to the commission. “It will be many months before we can have a metropolitan board,” remarked Mr. Bloodworth. “Lawyers will spend mouths on the constitution, and the Government and Parliament many more. The transport position is urgent, and we want some action.” "The citizens are faced with a seri-

| ous financial position, and the outside tbodies with a serious transport probj lem, and we must do something. I | think we might convene a meeting of ! citizens as well as public bodies,” re- | marked another delegate.

“GIVE US PRIVATE BUSES” ROSKILL RESIDENTS’ PLEA cm' COUNCIL "ON THU MAT” “Mr. Coates assured the deputation from the Suburban Transport Committee last week that he would see that justice was done by removing the Auckland City Council from its position as controlling authority. But he will tread a thorny path when he encounters the opposition of the City Council,” said Mr. S. I. Goodall, at the public meeting held in the Three Kings Hall, Mount Roskilt, last evening. Mr. Goodall predicted that the Government would probably take the line of least resistance. It would, he thought, take up some of the deputation’s suggestions, and some of the council’s ideas, and end by pleasing nobody. The Prime Minister's suggested board embodied the idea of it taking over the trams. Blit the suburbs did not want to own trams. Too much capital had to be sunk in them to make them pay. He preferred private enterprise under the control of a board. “As far as the extension of tram tracks is concerned, it’s gone—gone for ever,” said the chairman, Mr. A. E. Roxburgh. “With permanent highways and speedy motors, taking us to our very doors, we have the service thj people require.

“The suburbs did not want their trams. They have forced themselves upon us, and we must shake them off. Let them keep their tramway system and give us the free use of the road. “We are fighting for the open road, and I am pleased to say that we have brought the Auckland City Council on the mat in the Prime Minister's office in Wellington, to give an account of its actions.” In reply to a question as to what the fare would be to Mount Roskill under private enterprise. Mr. Roxburgh said that a private company was prepared to run a bus service for a fare of 3s 6d a week. The following resolution was carried unanimously: “We, the residents of the Three Kings area of the Mount Roskill district, request an amendment of the Motor Omnibus Act to allow private enterprise to cater for our transport needs. The position has become intolerable. Fares have been increased from 3s 3d to Gs, many having to walk considerable distances, and some have been compelled to hand over their homep to the mortgagees, while they seek shelter in the crowded areas of the city. That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Prime Minister and the members for the district.”

MR. COATES PROMISES BETTER TRANSPORT At the meeting of the Mount Roskill Road Board last evening Mr. L. ATozer, as one of the deputation appointed by the board to interview the Prime Minister in Wellington on the transport question, reported the deputation received a fair and sympathetic hearing. He referred to Mr. Coates’s letter to the Mayor of Auckland on September 15, to which the Government had received no reply. The Prime Minister informed the deputation that the local bodies concerned would be given immediate relief in the way of transport, and that it w’ould not be necessary to wait until next session before the whole matter would be placed on a sound business footing. Correspondence on the transport question was received from the Prime Minister, who stated that he had taken note of the representations submitted by the board and the transport committee, and he would be glad to confer with the Minister of Public Works: from the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. K. S. Williams, intimating that the question was already receiving the [ careful attention of the Government; and from Mr W. J. Jordan. M.P.. notifying the board that he had raised the question in the House, and felt i confident that notwithstanding the j opposition of the Auckland City Council the demand for improved transport I would be met. A vote of thanks was accorded to Messrs. L. A. Tozer. E. ft. Allen, and T. Davies, the board's delegates, sent to Wellington, for their satisfactory services on the deputation.

NEW LYNN’S PROTEST MEETING OF RESIDENTS In accordance -with a campaign to secure a remedy for the existing inadequate bus service to the Northern suburbs, meetings are being held in the districts interested with the result that resolutions, petitions and deputations pertaining thereto have been made the channels through which it is hoped to attain the goal. In addition to the deputation that waited on the chairman of the Tramways Committee, Mr. J. A. C. Allum, and the tramways manager, Mr. Ford, from the Avondale Business Men’s Association, a public meeting of New Lynn residents, to a man, passed the following resolution:

That this public meeting of residents of New Lynn and surrounding districts emphatically protests against the present bus service provided for the district by the Auckland City Council, and demands a better service and the right of private enterprise to operate. That rhe

inadequate servic® now provided is eripi pling and retarding the natural proi of the district, and this meeting

strongly urges the immediate repeal oi existing legislation on the subject, or the amendment thereof in order to permit of the establishment of an electee Transport Board, giving the r ight fovehicles other than those owned by th* City Council to ply from outer districts direct into the city, and that a copy othis resolution be forwarded to the Prime Minister, to the Auckland members of Parliament and to the Mayor and councillors of Auckland.