MOUNT EDEN TRAM SERVICE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 115, 14 May 1908, Page 5

MOUNT EDEN TRAM SERVICE.

Something in the nature of a sensation was caused in Mount Eden district this morning when two tramcars vvere seen running on the new lines from the Eden Vine corner to the terminus. All along the road people turned out to witness the welcome sight, for during the progress of the work of laying the rails and cutting the road to its permanent level, residents in that district have had to put up with a considerable amount of inconvenience, including a long walk to get a car to town. The reason for the cars running this morning was' that the Government inspection of the line was taking place, because before the cars can run for hire ths line has to be approved by the Government engineer, and passed by an Order in Council. At ten o'clock tJiis morning a number of gentlemen assembled at the tram terminus, Queenstreet, for the purpose of running out in the first car over the line- The party consisted of Mr. Wilson (Government Resident Engineer), Mr. Meddins, of the Telegraph Department, Mr. J- J. Walklate (manager of the Tramway Company), Mr. P. M. Hansen (Managing Director), Mr. J. Stewart, CJE., Mr. Creagh, Mr. Lysaght (traffic manager), Mr. W. Edwards (manager for Messrs. McLean and Sons, contractors), Mr. Williams- (Foreman of Works for Mount Eden Borough Council), and- the following members of the Council: Messrs. Tunks, Hooton, Hudson, Burns, Ross, Potter, Jacka, Yates, Woolley, and> Crudge. Several ladies were also of the party. At the Eden Vine corner, a second tram car was waiting on the other line, and the two ears were driven opposite -ways around the corner in order that the Government engineer could take careful measurements as to the space between the bars as they swung round. At the various curves along the route to the terminus at the far end, careful measurements were made between the cars, the result being that from the time of leaving Queen-street it took an hour and aquarter before the further terminus was reached. Here the party got out, and Mr. Tunks. on behalf of the Council , apologised for the absence of the Mayor (Mr. O. Nicholson), who is at present at home unwell. Mr- Tunks said that from a layman's point of view, the whole service seemed very satisfactory, and they were very pleased to see the cars running in the Mount Eden district. He only hoped there would be no delay in starting the permanent service for the benefit of residents.

Mr. Wilson said he had no power to grant a permit for the cars to run. His duty was to report to Wellington, and the permit could only be granted by an Order in Council, but that would not necessarily mean waiting for a full meeting of Cabinet.

Mr. Tunks said what they were anxious about was that there should be as little delay as possible in getting the cars running, now that the lines were laid.

Mr- Walklate assured Mr. Tunks that there would be no delay as far as his company was concerned. As soon as ever the permission was granted the cars would'start running.

Mr. Wilson said that he could assure them that there would be no dtelay on his part.

The visitors retwued to to-w-j. about noon.