TRAMS CANNOT PAY

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 267, 1 February 1928, Page 1

TRAMS CANNOT PAY

TOO MANY MOTORS BOARD ASKS FOR HELP POSITION IN CHRISTCHURCH (Special to THE SUN.) CHRISTCHURCH, Tuesday. A deputation from the Christchurch Tramway Board to the Main Highways Board to-day frankly admitted that the board could not pay its way, and mentioned the possibility of a rate being struck for the maintenance of the system. The Tramways Board was represented by Messrs. J. Wood, chairman, E. H. Andrews, J. A. Flesher and F. Thompson, general manager. Mr. Flesher said that competition from motorists prevented the board from paying its way. Much of the revenue from the 10,000 motor vehicles owned in Christchurch went into the coffers of the Highways Board, and the Tramway which kept much of the road in maintenance, thus saving money for the local bodies through which trams passed, was surely entitled to some of the revenue. The board was in such a position that it would have to have help from someone. Mr. F. W. Furkert, chairman of ti e Highways Board, said that to a certain extent he agreed with Mr. Fleshei, and thought the Tramways Boat'd was as much .entitled to assistance as a county council, and an application to the board would probably receive a. sympathetic hearing. The question could, be considered in plenty of time before Parliament, so that the necessary legislation could be put through.