A MUNICIPAL VISIT.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 November 1916, Page 4

A MUNICIPAL VISIT.

PALMERSTON NORTH COUNCIL INSPECT TRAM SERVICE, 'A visit was made to New Plymouth; yesterday by the Mayor of Palmerston North (Mr. J. A. Nash) and Messrs. If. Seifert, E. H. Crabb, L. R. Bryant, G. Kendall, F. P.Mf,., M. O'Reilly, and C. M. Clausen, me .era of the Palmerston North Boroug, Council. The main purpose of the visit was to inspect tha New Plymouth tramway system. Interviewed last evening, N«sW said about four years ago a tramway proposal was carried ' Palmerston North, and at a later date Mr. F, Black, consulting engineer, was em*l ployed to prepare an authorising order,! When this order was applied for a furV tiier .poll of the ratepayers was demand* ed under the Act, with the result that the tramway proposal was thrown out, When the present Council was elected, it resolved to make a further effort to establish a tramway service in Palmerston North. A poll resulted in the proposal being sanctioned by a substantial majority. It was the opinion of experts that it woutyi be inn possible to instal the service during the war, resumed Mr. Nash, and the Council, recognising the force of this, decided to have everything in readiness to go on with the scheme immediately tha war was over. Before the Council appointed its engineer, for which position two or three names had been selected, it. was decided to inspect the Nen (Plymouth system, lience the visit here,, INSPECTION OP ROADS While nt Hawera, the Mayor .and! Councillors inspected the tarred and sanded roads in tliat locality. At Palmerston North a scheme of tarring and sanding was under consideration, and the information supplied by Mr. Muggeridge, oE the Hffivera County Council, was exceedingly'valuable. The motorists, who were accommodated in two cars, found the roads throughout their long drive in excellent condition, and tliey had the unusual experience fl doing the whfle trip . with pnly one puncture, The party arrived at New Plymouth at 1 p.m. yesterday, and were met by the Mayor of New Plymouth (Mr. C. H. Burgess), the town clerk, the borough engineer, the tramways .engineer, and several members of the Council, who showed the visitors over the tramway route, the central power station, and the tramway sheds. VISITORS PLEASEE WITH TRAMS. Referring to the impressions he had received, Mr. Nash said he and his companions were very loud in their praise cf the splendid modern cars with which the service was equipped. They were unanimous in their opinion that the cars were the best they had seen, and they expressed the view ,that the class of car would suit admirably for Palmerston North. Every facility was afforded the visitors by the Mayor and borough officers during the inspection, and any information asked for was gladly furnished. Mr. Nash, speaking on behalf of himself and his Council, expressed his best thanks for the courtesy that had been extended to them Auring tWr visit.

TRAMS NECESSARY FOP f'HOGRESS. Mr. Nasli said lie was convinced that it wns absolutely necessary for the pro* gress of a town that, facilities should be afforded the people in the mean* of conveyance.' The citizens of New Plymouth should fool particularly proud of the splendid tramway service at their disposal. Palmerston North was ,ttoi so well suited for a tramway servJee as New Plymouth, the reason being that the former town was more Sparsely settled. There were 5000 acres and 70 miles of streets within the borough boundaries. 'Mr. Nash said he felt quite optimistic, however, and was sure the advent of the tram service would be a boon to Palmerston North. It wa» also proposed to instal an electric light* ing system" in conjunction with the trams. The Council would 'decide on the appointment of its engineer within the next week or so, and would (proceed with the necessary preliminaries in connection with the installation of the service as soon as it was practiwble. IMPRESSIONS OF VISIT. 'lt is some time now since I last visited New Plymouth," Mr, Nash remarked, in reply to a query, "and I am very pleased indeed with the steady progress tint being made in the town generally, and in the erection of build* ings. I hnve always looked forward with a great deal of pleasure to a visit to New Plymouth, The town is very picturesque, and is splendidly situated. The gardens are simply beautiful, and the growth of native shrubbery is also very fine. TREES IN THE STREETS. "I noticed the absence of trees growing along the many streets in the borough," Mr. Xash resumed. "I have always been a strong advocate for street-planting, and I think it tends to make and beautify ft town. I told your Mayor that 1 wish New Plymouth were nearer Palmerston North; I would spend many week-ends here." After the inspection the visitors were escorted to the New Plymouth bowling green, where a pleasant game of bowls was indulged in. The visitors expect to leave New Plymouth on their return journey this morning, and a game of bowls will be played at Waverley this afternoon.