"SLAP IN THE FACE”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 456, 11 September 1928, Page 17

"SLAP IN THE FACE”

ONEHUNGA’S TRAM SERVICE | COUNCIL PLANS REPRISALS | The Onehunga Borough Council ; passed a resolution last evening to j seek legal advice as 4 to the steps ne- : cessary to compel the City Council to | remove the trams and pull up the tram | rails from the borough. Councillor F. S. Morton, in moving the resolution, reported that he and Cr. Speight had met the Tramways Committee with a request from the council to provide a better service and reduce the fares. The committee had declined to do this. He therefore moved the following resolution: “That in view of the fact that the Auckland City tramways department saw fit to curtail the transport service to Onehunga without consulting this council, in contravention of the terms of the deed of delegation, and further that the department had failed to provide an adequate or reasonable , service to Onehunga, the borough solicitor should be instructed to advise the council of the legal steps to be taken to have the trams removed from the Onehunga service and the tram rails from the borough.” “Judging by the remarks made by members of the Tramways Committee,” said Cr. Morton, “I am satisfied that Onehunga will never get justice so long as the Auckland City Council is on the seat.” ' “Onehunga had received a slap in the face, and the Auckland City Council had violated its trust,” he added. He accused the Mayor, Mr. W. C. Coldicutt of giving misleading information to the Press by stating that the tram service to Onehunga was satisfactory. People were being herded in the trams like sheep, and he feared to imagine the result should an accident happen. Cr. Moor said that the deed provided for an adequate service, but after noon each day it was entirely inadequate. Ladies were being compelled to stand all the way from the city. The Mayor, Mr. W. C. Coldicutt, said he had often why the City Council had kept the" cars running empty so long. “I think,” he continued, “that Onehunga is very well catered for.” Cr. F. S. Morton: I feel that the Mayor of Auckland is addressing the people of Onehunga. The Mayor: I order you to withdraw that. Cr. Morton: I will not withdraw it. The Mayor: I order you to sit down until you withdraw that remark. Cr. Morton (sitting down): Very well—put the motion. Cr. H. Campling, chairman of the Streets Committee, wanted to know where the money was coming from when the tram rails were pulled up and the council was forced to maintain the tracks. Cr. Carlton: The tram rails are not going to be pulled up. This is only a lever to get a better service. The motion was carried by six votes to four.