THE TRAMWAYS.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 May 1918, Page 8

THE TRAMWAYS.

DISCUSSION OF ANNUAL KKPOKT. In discussing the annual report of the tramways manager at last night's meeting of the works committee of the Sew Plymouth Borough Council, Cr. Haydcn drew attention to what appeared in the balance-sheet as a. loss of £4OOO. He thought it sliowed that the fares would have to be raised or the service somewhat reduced. The Mayor said lie was afraid members had been altogether too optimistic with regard to the trams. It was never expected, by him' at any rate, that the trams would pay in the first few. years. Personally, he was not in the least afraid of the future of the system. He thought the time would come when the trams would return satisfactory dividends. The whole position' was, after all, largely a matter of book entrv.

Cr. Clarke (chairman of the tramways and electric light committee) dealt With the position in comparison with two of (he most recent tramway installations—the Invercargill and the Melbourne-Co-burg system, the latter being the better for comparison with New Plymouth. His most important point was that the local system had placed its depreciation much higher than any other system. Neither of the two systems quoted had written off for depreciation within £IOOO of what the New Plymouth tramways had allowed. If the local system had worked on the same principle'as the MelbourneCoburg system, they would have shown a depreciation of £IOOO only. The actual cash loss he estimated at £llOO. He pointed out also that the whole cost of repairing the road, as well as a royalty of £IOO to the council for the use of the road, had been paid off in the first year. The extra cost of material' on account of the war represented about £OOO for the year. He thought, taking everything into consideration, the posi° tion was very satisfactory, and he had every confidence in the future of the system. The people had expressed their willingness to pay the rate for the trams for several years. As a matter of fact, the service had increased in value, as if it had to be laid down now, or in the future, it would cost a great deal more than the amount paid for it. He believed that if it was extended in the direction contemplated it would very soon be a paying system. Other councillors approved the principle of writing the depreciation high, and expressed confidence in the future of the system.