THE TRAMWAY PROPOSALS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 27 August 1907, Page 2

THE TRAMWAY PROPOSALS.

The suggestion that the Borough Council should move in ihe direction 01 instiiuting au eiectrical train service between i'ltzroy anil the Breakwater was mentioned again at last night s Council meeting. Air A. A. l'lkeut said he had been making enquiries, had not been able to gather all the in-, formation he desired. He had, however, with the assistance of the borough engineer, drawn out estimates of the cost of construction and maintenances, # and the revenue. He estimated that, the five miles of track, laid down with a view to meeting any future growltih of traffic, would cost £12,000; rollingstock (four single-deck cars) sufficient for present requirements, would cost £2BOO, and the overhead line and equip-, rnent £3000; buildings and depots,, ( *£3800; initial expenses and incidental £2000; a total outlay of £23,600. The annual maintenance would absorb £4OBO, made up as follows: Operating; strff (motormen, conductors, linesmen, and trackmen), £2210; purchase of electrical energy, 7500 units at 2d per. unit, from the municipal supply, £625; maintenance and depreciation (4 per cent, on capital), £944; interest alf S. per cent., £llBO. In tlie event of th|O t municipality not supplying electricity for motive power, he proposed to instal a gas producer plant. It might he necessary to raise a further electric light loan to meet this demand. Coming to revenue, Mr Pikett said ihe usual practice in estimates of this kind was to multiply the population by a hundred, and charge at twopence per head, to get the annual earnings. The population of 0500 treated in this way would give a return of £5400. He reckoned the six 'buses now plying for hire on the route earned £2700 a year, and that, on the basis of experience in other places, the trams would earn double that amount. Thus there was a nice little net profit of £4ll. A voice: Yes, on paper.

Mr Pikett said that he wanted the figures criticised. He didn't intend to ask for a vote on the matter, but merely wished to lay these figures before his colleagues and then have consideration deferred. In the meantime, the councillors could make further enquiries, Whilst the scheme might be a little premature In the opinions of some people,he was quite convinced that electric trams would very soon be a necessity here. He believed the municip lily should own them, for it was the general rule in cases where private enterprise started tram services that the •borough had eventually to buy them out.

In answer to Mr Browne, Mr Pikett said he had allowed in "incidentals" for such things as printing and stationery. The staff would be for double shifts. The only difficulty he could foresee 'was the narrow Breakwater road. |

Mr Browne, whilst hoping to see [ trams running before long,thought that cleTks and management would fully absorb the £4ll profit. He would like to know what sort of time-table was proposed. Mr Mills thought the matter ought to be deferred until the Council was ap J preached by private enterprise. The borough had its hands pretty full at present, and he did not think the population warranted the expense. Mr Pikett-said he had every faith in the future of the town, and he believed the scheme would -pay.

Further consideration was deferred, A eopy of Mr Pikett's figures will bo supplied to each member of the Council. I