PROPOSED TRAMWAYS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 26 March 1907, Page 2

PROPOSED TRAMWAYS

The Tramways Committee, in its n[IDl'L to the BoroUgh ColUH'il last. recommended that Messrs Ceorge ami Stokes be informed (that the i'ouneijj would litis prepared to commence negotiations with them in connection w.th the proposed tramways from Fitzrov to the Breakwater: Term 25 years; ngii! of purchase by tile Council at the end of the term without goodwill; percentile of profits on basis similar 5o Auckland; the Council to endeavor to obtain necessary consents from county council and other suburban authorities; extensions to l>e lirst approved by tile

Council; the Council to make alterations -to electric lighting system: substantial deposit to be made by the company as guarantee of good faith; the Council is unable to provide land for the erection of a power bouse; the company to obtain the necessary Order-in-Council before the expiry of IS months from April Ist, 11)07; costs of Order-in-Council to be borne by the company; oilier terms in the agreement to be on the lines of the agreement between the city of Auckland and Ihe Auckland Tramways Company. Cr. Monteath thought the Council should have power to purchase alter ten years. Twenty-live years was to.; long. lie contrasted the Auckland pr-vately-owned tramways with the numi- ; cipally-owned scheme, to the benefit of I the latter. Auckland people were very

sorry that they had not undertaken Hi - service themselves. Then alterations to the borough lighting scheme should be borne by the company. The suggested agreement made no stipulation as to fares.

The Mayor said these were stated in tlic company's letter. Were -the Council to purchase within 25 years there would be the goodwill to buy. Cr. Webster thought it unwise to tits up the town to any concern for twentyfive years.

Cr. Ilutchen said Cr. Monteaih's remarks would apply if New Plymouth were as big as Aucklaand; Jiut in the first ten years the promoters would make very little prolit. The short term would kill all chance of the project going on. The Council should do everything to attract this enterprise. Cr. Monteath said that neither the Council nor the ratepayers expressed a desire for a tram service, feeling the I time had hardly arrived for such a | scheme. "But tile company was making

overtures. Cr. Collis said there would have I<> be arangements made for a goodwill at the end of a short term. An amendment by Cr. Monteath, seconded by Cr. Webster, to reduce the tenn in the clause flout 25 to ten

years, was lost. Cr. Wilson moved, and Cr. Collis seconded, an amendment giving the Council the right to purchase the undertaking at any time after ten years at a price to be fixed by arbitration, in which case goodwill should be allowed for the unexpired balance of the original concession.

After discussion this was altered to give the right to purchase at any time after ten years on terms to be fixed by arbitration; and carried, Cr. Monteath moved a further amendment that the company /bear the cost of altering electric light lines. Seconded by Cr. Webster and carried. . The report as amended was carried.