“BLOCKHOUSE BAY DYING”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 627, 2 April 1929, Page 10

“BLOCKHOUSE BAY DYING”

FEEDER BUSES BLAMED PLEA TO TRANSPORT BOARD That the withdrawal of through bus services to Blockhouse Bay*was resulting in the death of the district was the statement of a deputation which waited on the Transport Board this morning to plead for the re' ntrod uctien of the through run. "The workers of the district are suffering a great disadvantage," said Mr. J. Thom, who led the deputation. If they miss a bus they now have to wait for trains and then are over three miles from their homes. "At one time when there was a through service to Blockhouse Bay, a great number of people used to come to our district. Now that the feeder service is in operation we are losing busi- j ness'. We have lost all our summer visitors, people are leaving the dis- j trict and our plight is a serious one," : concluded Mr. Thom. Mr. J. Gordon said it was necessary for the workers that a through service be inaugurated. If it was imperative that a feeder service should remain, could not a through time-table be inaugurated for the workers? "The feeder service only to Mount Albert means our death," declared Mr. J. W. Bissett. who supported the request. "At one time throngs of people used to come, out to our seaside resort. Where we had 40 or 50 tents at the bay two years ago this summer there have been about four.” "What is the population," asked Mr. E. H. Potter. "We are not statisticians, but you can come out and see yourselves.” Mr. A Hum said that a meeting had been held at Blockhouse Bay and five members of the board had attended and the position was discussed. Mr. Bissett said that two years ago about 30 buses daily went right into the city. To Mr. L. E. Rhodes, he said there was no objection to any route the board might decide on. Mr. Thom said it was decided that the workers travelling in the morning and after work should be particularly catered for by a through service. A similar service would be appreciated on Sundays and holidays. Mr. Allum assured the deputation could safely* leave the question to the board, which would give very careful consideration to the representations. The board-in-committee will report.