TRAMWAY FOR NEW PLYMOUTH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 115, 5 June 1901, Page 2

TRAMWAY FOR NEW PLYMOUTH.

PIIOPOBED OOHNEOTION OF FITZBOY AND MOTUKOA. There was a fairly representative gathering of business men and residents of Naw Plymouth at a mreting convened at Mr. 1. 0. KeUey's office on Tuesday afternoon, when a abort discussion took place on the question of establishing tramway commonication b tween the eastern and western districts of the town. Amongst those present were—Messrs Ad. Goldwater (who was voted to the chair), ft. K. MaoDiarmid, T. 8. Weston, T. V.al", Wilson (Fitzroy), Westmaeo't, J. A very, C. Dtvis, J. Brennan, D. B.rry, R. Cock, E. Djckrill, A. Drake, Tiscb, Clifford (Tarata), T. 0. Kelsey, <ind A. Bayly. In introducing tbe subject the Chairman said he did not know muoh about tramways, or what was intended to ba done in New Plymouth at present, as that would no doubt depend upon circumstances. But it had been considered that the time had arrived when \ the p'ople sbou'd discuss the advisableI ness if instituting a tram line between Fitzrey and the Breakwater. The town beco-ning congested, and houses were being built on small spaces of ground where thire was really no breathing room for the occupants. People would want to go further afield for larger areas of land fur their residential sites, thus securing greiter advantages from the heilth point of viiw. He instanced the growth of papulation which had attended the establishment of the tram*ay eysttm in. Auckland, giving easy and cheap ace us to the outlying suburbs. By this means Auckland hid grown from a sm-U city to what might be called a Greater Auckland. Although New Plymoath wis not likely to grow as fast as An- klanif which hid the gold mining iadustty to back it up, still •u h the enormous production of butter, etc., from this district, our (own would undoubtedly continue to and improve very b e*dily. At present it was undecided what st ps no-aid be taken as to the construction of t v >o line -whether a local eemptnjr shou'd be fo r mcd, the Borough Council ..s'<ed to take the matter up, or outside enterprise invited to undrtake the building of * line. A short discussion followed, during which Mr Berry referred to the fact that Auckland and Wellington cities wei eg ling in for electric trams, and it would be well if enquiries ware made ••s to the probab!e cost of obtaining their di car'ed plents, whVi would suffice, foe many in New pirmcuth, and considsrab'y reduce the firs* cost.

Nopropo?als weie nude at to forming a corapiny or calling apon tha B.rjugh Council to undertake thi work; but tbe opinion ws generally .xpre-sed that though a line could not bo exp cted to yield a profit during the fi -st few yeirs, still, so long a» vt otriingscover,d the tott of maintenance it would be <>f great benefit to the people, and would tend to induce a rapid exp n-ion of the town. ,; The m (..ting then elected the following gent'emer.:—Mes*re D. Birry, E. o..ck, K Dockr'.ll, W. J. Honey field, A. Drak-, G. TUch, Cliftoid and Goldwat r-a committei to make enquiries iuto iho subject and obt&ir all inform -tion possible regarding tramways in other towns.

They were instruct")! to report at ft public meeting to be held as soon M t' e ii) r oni)utif>n sought )8 available, itnd the m eting adjourned.