Transport Board “Solves Problem”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 418, 28 July 1928, Page 13

Transport Board “Solves Problem”

lOCAL-BODY OPINION “CITY GRATIFIED,” SAYS MR. ALLUM There is little violent criticism the Transport Commission s re- ° t in the city, and the general ooinion seems to be that it is a "satisfactory solution” of the problent. it is probable that meetings of local dies will be held to scrutinise the b °ort and to consider the somewhat districted area over which the board 'll operate. The citizens’ committee local bodies have already confirmed the principle that the management board should assume the control of the essential services of the greater area. revival of building •The finding of the commission will ove to be a satisfactory solution of transport problem in Auckland, hnth in the city and the suburban , re as ” said Mr. E. H. Potter, Mayor of Mount Eden, after he had considered [he subject this morning. “Cheap md adequate transport is vital to all. I believe that we may expect a revival in building operations in the suburban areas and districts in the near said that the activities of a transport board would restore the lost confidence of the people. The questions of representation and of the inclusion of important districts not mentioned in the Bill and which desired inclusion would, he was sure, deceive consideration by the Governimpossible adequately to deal with the problem in the small area proposed. Otahuhu and western suburbs must receive consideration because they were all important and growing districts. The omnibus and the heavy traffic districts reached from Mercer to Ilelensville and covered 350,000 square miles. This was the area which would eventually be controlled by the transport board. Mr Potter said he favoured equal representation lor the city and the .suburban areas, or at least the adoption of the suggestion of seven members for the city and six for the outer bodies. The problem of transport was a big one, and a board was needed at least as large as the Hospital and Power Boards, which each had 12 members. "ADEQUATE SERVICES” The chairman of the Tramways Committee of the City Council, Mr. J. A. C. Allum, said that the fact that the Commission has found the services to be suitable, adequate and efficient, gave pleasure to the City Council and reassured the ratepayers. Through many disturbing elements and influences, the council had .kept straight on, refusing to be stampeded into unwise policies in the huge commercial undertaking of transport. “No comment can be made on the recommendations, as obviously the matter is one for the council’s consideration,” he continued. “It can be earnestly hoped that the transport system of the city will now be freed from destructive criticism, and allowed to continue successfully and efficiently to cater for the transport needs of the area, as it has always done in the past.” It was also gratifying, said Mr. Allum, to find that the policy of Greater Auckland was upheld by the Commission. The chairman of Mount Roskill Road Board said that the present services were not adequate, even though the Commission said they were. “NOT KEEN ON OWNERSHIP” “We would have preferred a board to license and control, leaving the City Council with its own transport service,” said tho Mayor of Mount Albert, Mr. L. E. Rhodes. “We are not keen on an ownership board. The larger transport area proposed, that is, from Papakura to Henderson, would be too unwieldy, and I agree that the smaller area recommended by the Commission ,s Preferable. We were not satisfied with conditions as they were, especially that the City 'Council should be both a licensing and an owning authority.” ‘Not muc hto cavil at,” was the remark Mr. R. G. Clark, ex-chairman of One Tr«e Hill Road Board, made the finding. The city was entitled to a flight preponderance in the representation on the board, he If!! v mem T> e rs acted in the sprit i the good of the whole area,” the hoard should work well. The Mayor of Newmarket, Mr. S. jonaldson, said: “The recommenda»ons of the Commission are satisfac"S en ough, but I do not think they m cause anyone to be enraptured, m pleased with the proposal to form a transport board, but it is like taking thf* lhe sift to stipulate that six of ton representatives should be city ers ‘ Outside bodies should have equal representation.”