The Stud Ass AGM had given the Executive a very definite line on the proposal of the City Council to increase tram fares. This line was, despite some cynical opposition, unequivocally Anti. Accordingly, our Secretary, Harry Evison, with the invaluable assistance of some statistical experts, drew up submissions and evidence to lay before the Price Increasing Tribunal when the matter came up for their judgment.

Thus, on Tuesday, July 27, when Mr. W. E. Leicester, in best Plunket Medal style, was expounding the case for higher tram fares before the Tribunal (Mr. Justice Hunter, and Messrs. Holloway and Munro), our Secretary was present, awaiting his turn. First we heard Mr. Leicester, smooth and confident, reading frightening lists of figures. His witnesses, the manager, accountant and engineer of the tramways, were not so confident, especially under the cross-examination of the Price Control Division.

This body was represented by its Director, Mr. Wise, who gave their submissions next. These were for a slight increase in fares, but placing more of the burden of increased expenses on the large sums at present being deposited annually in Reserve and Accident funds. Mr. Leicester had argued that this was a most unwise policy, since he envisaged "a tremendous accident in the near future, in which some lives would be lost." (Not a very complimentary comment on the efficiency of the tramways). Mr. Wise's submissions, together with the statements of subsequent witnesses, suggested that some of the Council's long lists of figures, so skilfully presented, were most deceptive, and did not justify the comparatively large increases in fares applied for. Furthermore, it appears that the Council seeks the unprecedented course of making good capital expenditure out of the revenue from increased fares.