TRAMS FOR WESTOWN.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 July 1920, Page 6

TRAMS FOR WESTOWN.

THE TRACK SYSTEM WANTED. MEETING OF RATEPAYERS. There was a very good attendance at a meeting of Westown ratepayers at the Westown Bowling Club's pavilion last evening. Mr. J. D. Sole presided. Mr. Sole staged that they desired something should be done to push forward the tramways to Westown. Last SepI ember the Borough Council was practically unanimous in extending the system to Westown (Wallath Road). In j February the Council decided to bring it to Omata Road. The Town Clerk had expected the estimates completed, and the poll taken by that time. Now the Council had decided to get estimates for a rnillees system. This means a further delay, and the idea was not a new one, and as far as he knew it has not been adopted generally in any part of the world. If it was a case of choice between "the devil they knew and did hot know," he preferred the former. He had spoken to • many ratepayers on the question, and had in every instance been premised support. Ratepayers had to provide the sinews of war, and thej should have a say. It looked as if a good deal of time was taken up by the Council in considering estimates and receiving reports, and nothing further >vas done. He thought that by deputation, petition, or resolution they might ! move the Council up to some activity. It was no new matter, as they had already waited upon the Council. Then Hie deputation was told that the-Coun-cil had not the consent of the owners of certain property along the route, but the Association had received the support of all the owners interested. They had done all they could to assist the Council, and it looked as if they should do something further. Mr. ,T, S, Medley thought that a public meeting'should be held. They would certainly get a good deal of si.pport. An extension of the Morlev Street tramway would make it a payable concern instead of being merely a dead end. Mr. Sols said he had seen the Fitzroy Association, who thought it preferable for Westown to hold a meeting first and then eall one for a central portion of the town. , Mr. ,T. Dnvies thought they might give the Council something to go on by way of a petition signed by ratepayers on the west side of the Post OlTice, 'urging the pushing on of the tramways to ('/(•.'town. Mr. Sole suggested the appointment of a deputation to the Council on Monday evening. Thcv wanted the tramways, but it was likety to be sidetracked by the raillcss system. Mr. Bartley, electrical engineer, who was present as a ratepayer, answered a number of questions, and explained several points of difference between raillcss car and the tramways. Mr. Bartley said they recognised the tramway was the best system of transportation, but the difficulty was to ascertain how Ihe system was to work out financially. What was all right five years ago, might be found totally different to-day. He enumerated many articles necessary to ft tramway that had considerably increased, and some that were at present unprocurable. Mr. Sole: Of the two systems, the track System is preferable? Mr. Hartley: Undoubtedly, if you have the money. Mr. Sole: Well, we, the ratepayers, have to find that. Mr. Bartley: To me, as a ratepayer, the trackless system appeals. Later on, when things become cheaper they could go on with the tramways. In reply to another question, Mr. Bartley stated that if all the material was available in New Plymouth the tramways could be installed in a few months, but the railless system in half the siyne time, but it was almost impossible to get certain tramway material to-day. Mr. Mrtlley asked if they could not manage to bring the tramways up to the top of Morley Street? Mr. Bartley did not, believe this would be satisfactory. Mr. Sole said something was needed more than the 'bus system. Like the engineer, Westown folk were pleased that the revenue for the 'bus was much above the estimate, but it was totally inadequate to meet present requirements. When Westown came mto the borough they were promised they would have tramways, and it was only right they Jiould, and'also fair that the cost sTioulii be borne by the whole of the borough. Until such times as they got the tramway's they could not get the people to leside in the suburbs. Besides settling the outskirts of the towns, and earning additional revenue for the trams, it meant a good deal of revenue to the borough by way of rates. After further discussion, the meeting resolved to wait upon the Council on Monday evening urging the completion of the tramways to Westown, and the speakers appointed to lay the views of the meeting before the authorities are Messrs. Sole, Humphries and F. S. Johns.