TRAMS TO AVONDALE

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

TRAMS TO AVONDALE

IMMEDIATE CONSTRUCTION URGED BY RESIDENTS

TRANSPORT BOARD SYMPATHETIC

Asking that tramways be Immediately constructed from Mount Albert terminus and Avondale, 1,590 residents along the route petitioned the Auckland Transport Board this morning.' Mr. W. J. Tait, who introduced a deputation, urged immediate construction of the tramway. The present transport was retarding the district. “People are so dissatisfied with the present system that they aie almost unanimous that trams should be provided," said Mr. J. F. W. Dickscn. “We don’t take sides on the question of bus or tram, but wo say the existing order is not adequate ” Assurance that residents of Avondale were behind the board was given by Mr. H. P. Burton. Any opposition to a tramway was irresponsible. To Mr. M. J. Coyle, the speaker said it had been absolutely agreed that trams would be better than trains or buses. The chairman, Mr. J. A. C. Allum, said he felt that the request could be agreed to as far as the board was concerned. The extension had not been gone on with because the Local Loans Board in April last had doclined to sanction the necessary loan of £58,400 until the Government had come to a decision regarding the Morningside tunnel project. Nothing definite had yet been heard from the Government, and it had recently been decided to make further representations to the Local Loans Board. “It is part of the Transport Board’s policy to take trams to Avondale,” Mr. Allum remarked. “We are just as anxious to start the work as the residents are. If the rest of the board’s area supports a loan as staunchly as Avondale supported other extensions there should be no difficulty in giving the petitioners their trams,” he added. “In making representations to the board we should find out definitely what the Government intends to do about the Morningside tunnel,” said Mr. E. H. Potter. “If we extend the tramline will residents of Avondale support the trams? We have heard that chJbp electric trains have been proposed.” “If the Government has a cheaper scheme to bring forward then it has had plenty of time to think about it,” said Mr. Allum. On the motion of Mr.'Rhodes it was agreed to approach the Local Loans Board for authority to carry out the extensions.