IN TWO CAMPS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 888, 4 February 1930, Page 1

IN TWO CAMPS

BLOCKHOUSE BAY SPLIT ABOUT BUSES PRIVATE OR BOARD CONTROL? Sharp difference of opinion obtains in the Blockhouse Bay district on the question whether the Transport Board, should continue to operate bus services in the area, or private enterprise should be invited. At this morning’s meeting the board received applications from M. W. Karews and the Auckland Bus Company for permission to establish, a bus service in place ol the present service operated by the board. Concurrently, letters came from opposing groups of ratepayers, the one desiring private enterprise, the other being satisfied with the board’s control. In view of the conflict the chairman, Mr. J. A. C. Allum, moved that the applications be deferred until the board could call a meeting of residents to find out exactly what was desired. “We are losing £4,200 annually on this service, and should hand it over to private operators,” said Mr. E. H. Potter, and moved the applications be considered forthwith. The board should now confine itself to making a success of the trams. Mr. L. E. Rhodes, Mr. E. J. Phelan and Mr. M. J. Coyle supported the chairman. They felt a new complexion had been put on the question by the petition. That every resident of Blockhouse Bay be sent a voting paper was a suggestion by Mr. A. J. Entrican, who said it would be difficult to get the feeling of the whole area by a public meeting. “The board has told the people that if they want private enterprise then private enterprise they should have,” said Mr. Allum. “Now there is this difference of opinion.” The chairman’s motion was carried and the applications deferred.