INVERCARGILL TRAMWAYS.

OPENING CEREMONY,

(SrECIAI, TO "THE PRESS ,, J. IXVERCARGILL, March 26. The official opening of the Invercargill municipal electric tramivay system passed off this afternoon without a hitch. There was a very large attendance, and the guests included representatives of tho Northern tramways, amohg'them being Mr Frank Thompson, general manager of the Christ-church service. The ceremony was a brief one, • but tho keenest interest is being shown by tbo public in. their new possession. After delivering a short speech, tho Mayor (Mr W. A. Ot-t) put into operation the first car, and three cars conveyed tho guests over tho two lineS open for traffic. The cars ran without the slightest bitch, and their handsome appearance and smooth travelling wero the subject of much favourable comment. Subsequently, the. Mayor entertained the guests at afternoon tea, during which Mr Ott was presented with a miniature starting lever of gold, as a memento of the occasion. There- was a great rush for the cars at 3 p.m.. when they opened for passenger traffic. A special ten-minutes service was srun. and the receipts from the "joy riders" are expected to be very heavy, as the cars were packed throughout tho afternoon /md evening. The service will commence in earnest tomorrow.