“TOO SOON TO SAY”

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 959, 30 April 1930, Page 1

“TOO SOON TO SAY”

FARE TO NEW RAILWAY STATION CHARGE NOT YET FIXED Though the Transport Board is making formal application for an Order-in-Council authorising it to charge 2d for the first section between the new railway station and the City, this does not mean that 2d will actually be charged, according to the Transport Board manager, Mr. A. E. Ford. Discussing the question this morning, Mr. Ford pointed out that Orders-in-Council fixing maximum fares chargeable had to be obtained for every new service instituted by the board. The Point Chevalier extension had to be covered in this way. Under the terms of the Order-in-Council it was possible to lower the fares, but not to increase them. To save further application for authorities the board therefore made it the practice to apply for the maximum rate.

Mr. Ford submitted that there were no grounds for controversy in the board’s decision to apply for the right to charge 2d from the new railway station to Queen Street, as a great deal of preparation had yet to be completed and it was by no means certain that this charge would be made when the trams started to run. Asked if he would state definitelv that 2d would not be charged for this section, which is only of 52 chains length, Mr. Ford said, “No, I cannot make any such statement at the; present time. It is top soon to say.”