TAKAPUNA TRAMWAYS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 61, 12 March 1915, Page 3

TAKAPUNA TRAMWAYS.

(To the Editor.)'

Sir, —A short time ago we read in the papers that a gentleman, who had been visiting Takapuna, had died thorough (being thrown from the tram car whilst standing on the outside platform. To those travelling , daily on the Takaipuna cars, particularly in the evenings, the wonder is that such accidents are not of more frequent occurrence. The manner in which .residents a.re being treated by the management is a standing disgrace, and it is with the object of ventilating the matter in the public Press that I am writing this letter. For several months in the year it has been looked upon as a luxury for Clifton Road residents to get a seat on the 8 a.m. car from Milford. This is bad Enough, for even in the mornings standing in the tram car is not altogether pleasant, but much worse is the treatment which residents, who have had a long day an town, receive at the hands of tire company iin the evening. Taking the car that connects with the 9.15 p.m. boat from town ac a typical example, it '.s customary for one car to be provided. Tlijs car accommodates 52 persons when seated. Usually, however, there are from 00 to 100 paesengens for those 52 seats, and although there is an extra car standing on the wharf, which could be attached by the conductor in a coupte of mimitee, unlee« there arc more than 23 passengers standing, the instructions of the management, as I understand from the conductor, are that the second car Is not to be put on. We have inspectors of all sorts in this Dominion, and jn the interests of the long-suffering travelling residents of Takapuna, It seems to mc that their number might well be added to by the provision of some official to prevent such treatment as above indicated. The policy of the Tramway Company in not providing better accommodation, ie, I am convinced, very short-sighted, as I have repeatedly heard of cases where people will not come to reside at Takapuna because tlrey are under the impression (and rightly so, too), that in a large percentage of the journeys which they would make to and from town, they would have to be "strap-hangers." —I am, etc, GEORGE GEORGE. March 11th, 1015. COXDEXSED CORRESPOXDEXCE. "Xon-smoker" complains of the paucity of accommodation on the morning train from Onehunga to town.