MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1902. THE ELECTRIC TRAMS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 273, 17 November 1902, Page 6

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1902. THE ELECTRIC TRAMS.

The inauguration ceremony in connection with the completion of the electric tramways, held to-day, marks an important epoch in the history of Auckland. It brings us into line with the most up-to-date cities of the world in the matter of transit facilities^ and Auckland, with its wide area of land adapted for the erection of beautiful suburban residences, will profit more than most municipalities from the possession of fast and comfortable means of locomotion. The effect of electric tramways, wherever they have been put in operation, has been' to decentl'alise the population. Lands four and five miles from the business centre become adapted even for the homes of workmen who have to make an early start in the» morning, and they are thus enabled to live in cottages surrounded by pleasant gardens instead of being crowded into closely-built ugly and unhealthy streets.

The overhead trolly system, which has been carried out in Auckland in a most effective and substantial man- ; ncr by the Tramway Company, is now generally recognised as the most practicable and useful method of utilising electric traction for city traffic. After prolonged inquiries it was adopted by the great corporations of Glasgow and Liverpool, and is rapidly being applied to the other leading municipalities of the United Kingdom. In America it has long held an undisputed supremacy. The history of the electric motor is interesting. The honour of first exemplifying the applicability of. electricity as a motive power for railways is credited to Thomas Davenport, a village blacksmith in Vermont, U.S., who so far back as 1835 used a primary battery for the generation of his electric energy. Other inventors worked on the same lines, but the cost pf batterygenerated electricity was prohibitive. It was not N until after the discovery of the modern dynamo in 1864 that the employment of electricity as a motor on railways and tramways became practicable, and many years elapsed before its full potentialities were realised. The first working electric railway was built by Siemens, in Berlin, using* what is known as the third rail system, and its sticcess directed the attention of many inventors to the subject. The first commercial electric, tramway was opened in Lichterfeld, Germany,1 in May, 18P1, and the second at Port-

rush, in Ireland, in 1883, using the third-fail method of supply. European cities, however, as usual, were slow to adopt a new thing, and though these successful experiments led the way, it was left to America to turn the new force to its fullest account. Improvements in tile motors, cars and the lines followed rapidly, one difficulty after another being overcome, until the perfecting of the overhead trolly system brought this fora of traction within the means even of small towns. An electric boom swept the United States, 41,000 cars, operating over 15,000 miles of track, being built in seven years.

Bristol and Dublin led the way in the United Kingdom, and the service in the latter city, operated from a central power station of 20,000 horse power capacity, is one of the finest in the world. The poles used both there and at Leeds are almost identical in appearance with those erected here, and are alao placed in the centre of the wider thoroughfares. We think the Auckland Tramways Company are entitled to unstinted praise for the excellence of the service, both with respect to permanent way, electrical installation, and cars, which they have supplied to Auckland. A mistake has, we think, been made in Using ceeitre poles instead of side poles in Khyber Pass, Manukauroad and the Customs-street entrance to Hobson-street. A change will certainly have to be made in the condition of the road at the latter

point to prevent serious accident, and we had hoped that this would have been done before the tramways were opened. Taken as a whole, however, the service is one of which the city may well feel proud, and the hearty congratulations which were bestowed to-day on the manager, the contractors and others connected with carrying out this great undertaking were thoroughly well deserved. The terms of the contract with the Auckland Corporation secure cheap and rapid transit facilities for the public at no cost to the ratepayers, and although municipalisation is in the air, and much maybe said in favour of public control of such services, there are reasonable grounds for believing that the citizens will have no cause to regret the bargain which has been made on their behalf.

The following- telegram lias been forwarded by the Premier to Sir G. M. O'JKofke:-— "Seeing the endeavour to have the public school at Oneliunga recogaised as a district high school i« being; supported by the Education Board and promised by the Minister far Ixlueatian i with pleasure confirm the Ministers promise, and I" have no doubt Cabinet will approve later on, subject to details being arranged. You may take it that the Orrehunga public school will be recognised as a high school hereafter. For my own part I see the necessity of having secondary education placed within the reach of all* and the wider the service the better it is for the people of the city.

Mr N. Dannefaerd, Superintendent of the" Soldiers' MlsStau, i'oona, Bombay India, accompanied by Iris wife and child, is expected to arrive in Auckland by the Waikare to-^ day, on a short Visit to this colony. While here he purposes giving a number 'Of lectures on work amongst the soldiers in India. The lectures will be illustrated with lantern vieW9. The following letter" has been sent by th« general secretary (Mr It. R. Hunt) of the Railway League to the Minister Tor Public Works:—"Auckland, November 13. Sir,—The Council desire to inform you that our comitussiom:r has reported that there has been no increased activity in the construction of the works on the Trunk line south or Auckland since the vote of £250,000 was passed by the Mouse last session, and as the weather is 'now favourable for the vigorous prosecution of railway works, and especially earth work cuttings, they instruct me to ask respectfully whether it is the intention of the Government to take vigorous action, in order that the vote may be spent prior to March 31, by which date, if not previously expended, the Council understand the vote will lapse. The Council also desire to ask you what steps are. beingtaken to proceed with the survey of the Trunk line north of Auckland to Maung-aturoto and beyond there, and also ask if you intend putting on sufficient men on this line so that the small vote of £20,000 may be expended before the end of the financial year."

Tlie anniversary services in connection -with the Primitive Methodist .School, Alexandra-street, were commenced yesterday in the Choral Hall. In the morning the Rev. W. S- Potter gave a thoughtful address on the lessons to be learnt from the life of Moses. In the afternoon, notwithstanding the band performance in the Albert Park, the building was well filled, the Rev. W. Day, who took the service, giving an interesting address on "The Children olf Light."' In the evening the itev. G. W. Sniailes preached an able sermon on "The Transmission of the Intellectual anrl Moral Traits from Parent to Child," urging the parents to cultivate the higher qualities that go to make a noble life, so that these might be transmitted to thcrir children,and thus give to the teachers better material upon which to work- The sing-ing, under the leadership of Mr Gladding, assisted by an efficient orchestra, was all that could be desired, the solos, duets, quartettes, and choruses being splendidly rendered. The collections for the day, including donations from parents, teachers and friends, amounted to £60 3/9. The soiree takes place to-morrow evening in the schoolroom, Alexandra-street, at G-30, public meeting at 7.30, under the presidency of Mr G. Fowlds, the speakers being Pastor Clark and IL Ramsbottom.

To have the senses of sight, smell, hearing and taste ail satisfied at one cime does not often iall to the lot of mortals, but that is what the Auckland Horticultural Society has set itself the task of doing for those who patronise the summer show at the Choral Hall on Friday and Saturday next. The m.igniKcent dUpla.\ of flowers, including the queenly rose, will be quite sufficient to fully satisfy the sight of the most exacting by their laviskaess of lovely form and beautiful colour, whilst their varied and sweet perfumes will appeal irrefiisitibly to their sense of .smell. The sweet, strains of1 the Bavarian band and 'the voices and instruments of the ladies and gentlemen who will provide entrancing music for the delectation of patrons will assuredly gratify the sense of hearing, and he or she must be absolutely devoid of palate who would fail to be satisfied by the afternoon tea to be provided under the capable management of the ladies' honorary committee. There can be no doubt of the show being a success, as the entries are large and competition promises to be keen; many growers who have* not hitherto taken part in the shows are entering at this one, and it seems apparent that the society has now entered upon the prosperous stage of its existence. Mr W. Goldie is now on his rounds judging " the gardens which ' have been cultivated by the children attending the schools of the city and suburbs. The "Graphic" photographer accompanies Mr Goldie for the purpose of taking pictures of the best gardens for publication in the next issue of the "N.Z. Graphic"

A man named McDonald met with a serious accident in the shaft of the Crown mine Karangahake, on Friday morning. The cage, by some means came down on him, and crushed him severely. He was at once removed by big mates to the Thames Hospital.

The military display in the Drill Hall* which closed on Saturday night, resulted in a sum of a little over £47 being realised for the Elingamite relief fund. During the evenings of Thursday and Friday, when the proceeds were for the equipping of the orderly rooms at the new Drill Hall, the total net proceeds were between £80 and £100. The attendance numbered about a thousand on each of the three evenings. The raft which the Penguin picked tip with the last rescued survivors of the Elingamite was on view, and the extra charge made for seeing this realised a sum of £ 15, Which is included in the total otf £47.

Our Wellington correspondent wires:—"Dr. P. W. McKenzie, who went to South Africa with the Tent]> New Zealand Contingent as surgeonmnjor, and returned to New Zealand in the troopship Montrose, has sailed for London .by the s.s. Karamea. Jt is Dr. McTCofizie's intention to go through the leading hospitals at Home and learn all that is new." The crew of the Vent nor who were passengers by the Gairloch from Hokianga gratefully acknowledge the sum of £i 4/, the whole df the expenses received by witnesses in a charge of assault settled out of. court. The drawing of Mr Jas. McMaster's art union took place on Saturday last at the show grounds, Alexandra Park, before a large gathering. M€&Srs Maddern and Kennedy, of the Detective Department, acted as Scriitiners. The nultfbers of the winning tickets will be found in another column. At Gladstone Hall, Northcote, on ftiday night, Mr Horace H. Hunt gave one of his popular Dickens' recitals in aid of St. John's Church funds to an interested and appreciative audience. Mr J. H. Witheford, M.U.E., who was unable to attend as chairman, sent £11/ towards the fund. Mr Harrison occupied the chaif.

We have received from Thos. Cook and Son, tourist and passenger agents, a copy of their New Zealand handbook, entitled "New Zealand as a Tourist and Health Resort." A fourth edition of this useful little guide book has just been issued, thoroughly revised, and ■with many additi-jns, both to reading matter and illustrations. The book, which is distributed gratis to intending tourists throughout the world through this firm's many offices and agencies, is a concise and convenient guide to the many attractions of this colony. The issue and distribution of this guide book, together with numerous publications on travel in and around New Zealand, published by the firm, is an indication of what they are doing in advertising the scenic and other attractions 'of this colony. *■ The-collection of kauri gum specimens sold by Gabriel Lewis and Co. at auction to-day realised £21.

The Lancashire Society of Auckland held their monthly meeting1 in the Masonic Hall, Newton, Mr Geo. Gregory in the chair. The programme included items by Mrs Shaw, Mrs Ashworth, Messrs C. Mayall, F. Wright, E. Ashworth, J. Torking-ton, R. Hartley, Leyland, Wolfenden, J. Mann, C. Mayall.