PRIVATE BUS WANTED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 850, 19 December 1929, Page 12

PRIVATE BUS WANTED

BLOCKHOUSE BAY PEOPLE ARE EMPHATIC AN OBJECTION QUASHED A public meeting: was held in the Blockhouse Bay picture hall, Avondale South, last evening to decide whether the Transport Board should continue to run the bus service in that locality or whether private enterprise should take over the route. The chairman, Mr. W. Pendlebury, was frequently compelled to call the speakers to order. It was finally decided by 27 votes to seven that private enterprise should be invited to run the services. In opening, Mr. Pendlebury said he regretted there was not a larger audience, as the business was of vital importance.

“As residents, you have every right to decide for yourselves whether you want private enterprise or not,” said the chairman. After he had read several letters from the Transport Board, Mr. Pendlebury said there was nothing definite, and urged intelligent voting. Mr. J Ivealy said he considered there was nothing wrong with the present service. The drivers .were better paid and had better conditions than those serving under private enterprise. The ! chairman cautioned Ki. Nealy, as the i felt an impression would i. created I that private companies underpaid i their men. A bus official said the men came under an award and could not be underpaid. No doubt their conditions had not been very good, but that would only last a short time now. Mr. Ivealy moved that the question be deferred until February, as there were not many residents present, and also it would give an opportunity to bring the position more fully in touch with all concerned. The motion was quickly ruled out, the chairman remarking that the same old story, ‘‘put off for a month and forget for another six months,” was no good. “The question is going to be settled tonight,” he declared. “I can remember in 1927, when about 700 people left the buses and went back to the trains,” said the chairman. “I can remember also in the Mission Hall here a remark by Mr. J. A. <i. Allum, chairman of the board, that he hoped all the people would go back to the tra^n.”

Mr. Ivealy finally resigned and sat among the audience Mr. Grey Campbell stated he was not connected with any enterprise, but the Transport Board held the whip hand as far as restrictions were concerned, but finally agreed that private enterpirise was the thing.

* The vote was taken after several speakers had put forward their views.