TRAMS FOR ALBERT STREET

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 830, 26 November 1929, Page 1

TRAMS FOR ALBERT STREET

Transport Board’s Assurance

PROMISE GIVEN ASSOCIATION

WITH an assurance that it was part of the boards policy to run trams m Albert Street, .Mr. ,T. A. C. Allurn replied to a deputation Irani tlieAVest of Queen Street Development Association that waited on the Auckland Transport Board this morning. The question has been referred to a committee consisting of the whole board.

Led by Mr. A. J. Hutchinson, director, the deputation consisted of Messrs. R. Harlow i Ancient Order of Foresters!. John Astley (Astley aud Sons!, E. Buchanan (Buchanan aud dons). John Clark IClark and Matheson. Ltd ). R. A. Laldlaw (Farmers' Trading Co.. Ltd). A. Harvey (Harvey! »nd Sons), U. Henry I Henry and Co.), J. C. Hill (Hill and Plummer. Ltd.),j J. S. Stewart (Kempthorne. Prosser, j Ltd.). John McLeod (Manchester! Unity Building). A. C. Hallet (Millers,! Ltd.), D. P. MacCormick (Models., Ltd). W. Plowman (New Zealand Towel Supply). J. H. Hay net- (Owen, Rayner. Ltd.). W. Parkinson (Parkinson and Co.). S. A. Smith (S. A Smith and Co.?. C. K. Smith (Smith and Smith), F. M. Hilts (Thompson and Hills), A. Humphreys (Unity Press,! Ltd.). L. JAArmitage (Warnock Bros.), .(. W. Warren (Warren Engineering Co.), D. J. Wright (Wright and laqnes. Ltd.). THE REAL QUESTION Mr. Hutchinson said the real question was that of laying trams in Albert Street. Ho was not interested in Albert Street or Queen Street, or any other street, hut had joined the association in the belief that the west of Queen Street area was worthy of all possible development. “Trains are long overdue in Albert Street," he declared. “If I remember rightly, the question has been considered by the engineer and the board.

• , ' but for financial reasons it was decided not to go on with the project.' , A tramway service in Albert street, he contended, would solve or help to solve one or two of the board’s problems by relieving congestion in Queen Street, and providing a good starting point for suburban dwellers. Moreover, the development of the west of Queen Street area would benefit the tramway system generally. All over the world the tendency was to centralise shopping areas, and thus benefit transport services. "I can assure the board that we are not going to be another thorn in its side,” he said. “We are going to offer the board our full co-operation in getting on with the business of the city's transport. “We see with regret iiie continued public criticism of the board, and ap- ' preciate the difficulty of getting on j with the work when 75 per cent, of i the time is spent in dealing with idle ! criticism.” “SPLENDID PROPOSITION” Describing the proposal to run trams in Albert Street as “a splendid proposition.” Mr. Hutchinson pointed out that Albert Stret was wide and roomy. It had been said that there was the difficulty of the hill at its foot, hut there would be no difficulty about tho hill if the trams were brought round the waterfront. Another point was that big Queen Street shops could extend through to Albert Street, thus giving themselves a double frontage, and improving Queen Street shopping. Mr. A. J. Entrican: Where would the Albert Street tram link up at the top end?

Mr. Hutchinson: That is a question for the board to decide. We are not trying to say how to do it, but would ask you to look into the suitability of Wellesley Street. If you wish us to go into this question we will do so. Mr. M. J. Coyle suggested that the City Council would have to come into the question because of the possible problem of street widening. Mr. Hutchinson:. We are going before the City Council. CHAIRMAN’S ASSURANCE The board’s chairman, Mr. J. A. O. AUum, assured the deputation that it was part of the board’s policy to run trams up Albert Street. The project was not considered at the time of the last loan because suburban extensions were so long overdue. The next move on the part of the deputation was to apply to the City Council regarding the demolition of the Gladstone Buildings for the purpose of street widening. "I can tell you as businessmen that the transport position is clarifying and improving,” Mr. Allum added. “We shall have nothing to fear if we receive the support you have been good enough to offer, and we appreciate the fact that you come with a bouquet and not with a club.” He added that the board would give its earnest consideration to the association's representations. The deputation withdrew, after which the question was referred to a committee consisting of the whole board.