ALBERT STREET TRAM CONTROVERSY

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 994, 10 June 1930, Page 10

ALBERT STREET TRAM CONTROVERSY

(Continued from Page 1.) ' Some Queen Street business men seem to feel that to relieve Queen Street of excess traffic Trill reduce their trade, but the very opposite is likely to result, as has been clearly demonstrated here and elsewhere. The congestion in Queen Street is already driving trade out to the suburbs and jj thriving shopping centres are spring - | ing up in several directions, which are not only detrimental to retail business in the heart of the City, but to the Transport Board’s returns as well. ‘•The question of City rates has also been raised, but if Queen Street property could be relieved of some of its excessive rates by their being spread over adjacent areas, surely this would be of real help to Queen Street retailers. I know several retailers of considerable size in Queen Street whose rent and rates amount to S per cent, of their total sales, whereas 1 could cite a retail business not far from Queen Street where these charges amount to less than li per cent, of the value of goods sold. These high rents and rates which mean charging higher prices, are making it hand to let Queen Street shops, and are combining with traffic congestion to drive trade to outer districts. ‘‘We have noticed several letters in the papers complaining of the excessive noise in Queen Street, and to prove this is a very real hindrance to trade one need only visit a city like Chicago with its road level and overhead tram tracks in the same streets. At first thought one might have expected tue extra traffic to bring extra business, but instead the frightful noise lias completely spoiled these streets ioi retail trade. _ “In short, the Albert Street outlet, according to your own figures, tvfi* show a good return on capital expenditure, even on present traffic, which means a growing saving as traffic increases in the near future. A saving of time for the travelling public will result, not only for west suburban residents, but for all Queen Street passengers as well, through the present congestion being relieved there by the transfer of the western trams to Albert Street. There will be a better spread and more attractive retail shopping area in the centre of the City, which will result in a larger proportion of the people shopping in town, and this will mean more traffic for your board, more rates for the City Council, and steadier business for all those in Queen Street and the adjacent areas. WORKERS’ NEEDS "It would seem that the attitude of the Queen Street business people is not actuated by any interest in the welfare of the workers, as it has to be admitted that there is already very serious congestion of tram traffic in Queen Street," Mr. J. Purtell pointed out. ‘ At peak periods, from 4.30 to 5.45 p.m., arid from 11.30 a.m. to 12.45 on Saturday, a delay of 12 minutes is involved in the i Customs Street-W ellesley Street section. “One feature which must be remembered with respect to manual workers going to and from work is the amount of time taken to cover their journey, owing to the scattered nature of our suburbs, and it will easily be understood that workers would welcome any change which would lessen the time c£ travel. I would also point out that a large percentage of manual workers live in western suburbs. In this connection it has to be remembered that 117 trips would be taken out of Queen Street during the peak period and diverted to Albert Street. “It would be quite easy for tram passengers from tlio western suburbs to reach Queen Street, whereas the present Hobson Street route is generally considered inconvenient for traffic this side of Customs Street. “Owing to the present delay in Queen Street, clerical workers, who generally finish earlier than manual workers, are apt to be delayed, and we get congestion about 5 p.m. This proposal would help partly to solve the problem. “The usual four-section ride takes from 20 to 25 minutes, and some workers live a considerable distance from the car line. From the workers’ viewpoint, if the Albert Street extension will Obviate any delay in going to and from work, it is a move in the right direction." Mr. Laidlaw, in reply to Mr. E. H. Potter, remarked that he favoured the use of Albert Street not only for westtern districts residents,’but for those of all suburbs. This would be possible by through routing. A great deal of time could be saved to all outer subsurbs passengers in this way. If people knew that they could save five or seven minutes on the homeward trip by walking the few yards to Albert Street, Mr. Laidlaw believed they would gladly do it. He was of opinion that women shoppers—seeing that the Queen St. interests had mentioned it would be particularly glad to take advantage of the chance to get home quickly instead of being lined up in cars trying to get out of Queen Street. “Our association is endeavouring to have verandas erected throughout the length of Wyndham Street and other streets, running down to Queen Street,” said Mr. Laidlaw. He added that contracts had been signed with firms concerned. In thanking the deputation for its representations the chairman, Mr. J. A. C. Allum, pointed out that Mr. Ford’s report had not been made to benefit or harm any district. If the board decided to adopt the report, it would only do so if satisfied that the scheme would benefit the transport undertaking as a whole. “In any event, the ratepayers will have the final say," declared Mr. Allum. The question was referred to the board-in-committee. VIEWPOINT OF WORKERS WARM ADVOCATES OF SCHEME The resolution passed by 400 members of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers and Allied Trades’ Industrial Union, taking exception to the Queen Street business interests taking authority upon themselves to speak against the trams in Albert Street scheme, was communicated to the Transport Board this morning. In addition, the union passed a resolution urging upon the board the necessity of speeding up the service, thus enabling the worker to reach his home or place of employment with as little delay as possible. The union added that in its opinion the recommendation of the manager, Mr. A. E. Ford, that the tram tracks should be laid in Albert Street, was a move in the right direction, and urged the board to give effect to the recommendation. After asking the board to use every endeavour to build its own tramcars, and to make all mechanical parts, if possible, the union pointed out that its members in the employ of the board were capable of turning out work equal to, if not better than, the imported article. On the motion of the chairman, Mr. J. A. C. Allum, the board resolved to reply that the letter would be received, and the board was noting the points raised. Five new tramcars had recently been laid down in the board’s workshops.