TRAMWAY EXTENSIONS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 849, 18 December 1929, Page 10

TRAMWAY EXTENSIONS

TRANSPORT is still an uncertain and clouded issue in local politics. The Transport Board has declined the request that it submit its finances and details of its operations to the comprehensive scrutiny of an independent committee. The sponsors of this request unfortunately made it with only ill-defined objectives and with less apparent intention of gaining information for the public than of endeavouring to embarrass the board. In the circumstances the board was no doubt justified in rejecting tlieir suggestion. It would normally be sheer impertinence on the part of outsiders to suggest that a local body competently constituted should admit to unaccredited outsiders the right of examining its position, though it may be argued, of course, that normal reactions do not apply in this particular case. On November 8 of last year the transport undertaking, then administered by the City Council, tendered figures showing ■ that tramway profits for the year would be £59,000. The anticipated losses on buses were £50,000, but still there was a prospect of £9,000 profit. Yet in twelve months the £59,000 credited to the tramway side of the system became converted into sucli a deficit, or, at least, sustained such a setback, that the concession card rates had to he raised to bolster up the diminishing revenue. It was an extraordinary reversal, which has not as yet been sufficiently explained. In the meantime the board is going ahead with tramway extensions in various parts of the system. These have been awaited for a long time, but the public must realise that for the first three or four years after the inception of the services they cannot possibly pay, and can only add to the burdens carried by tlie system. In a report dated March 3, 1927, the general manager estimated that the total loss for the first year’s workings of the Point Chevalier, Mount Eden. Remuera, Dominion Road and Edendale extensions would be £28,205: for the second year, £17,915; and for the third year, £7,312. It is possible that the interval that has elapsed, allowing increased settlement in the districts affected, may improve the position, but this is problematical. However, the board is pledged to the schedule, not only by its promises, but also by the principles of wisdom and foresight. Not until the extensions are completed can the board see the end of some of its ruinous bus enterprises and the ultimate welding of the tramway system into one well-knit scheme. But for the unwarranted diversion of loan moneys five years ago, the Point Chevalier and Remuera extension would have already been in operation, and on this account alone the board has to abide by its decision that the Remuera extension shall be next on the list. , ;