The Press. FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 1905. GOVERNMENT AND THE TRAMWAY BOARD.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12091, 13 January 1905, Page 4

The Press. FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 1905. GOVERNMENT AND THE TRAMWAY BOARD.

Really, now that the Government is called upon, in regard to the numerous tramway enterprises throughout the colony, to aot the part played by the Board of Trade in England, it is time that it adopted a consistent policy of taking the best expert advice and acting strictly -' in ' accordance therewith, so .as not to run such bodies into unnecessary expense and stultify itself into the bargain. This has.certainly happened already. It will be remembered how, when the Order-in-Oounoil for the Christohurch tramway was first applied for, the iPublio Works Department made all eorts of ridiculous stipulations with regard both to the road equipment and the rolling stock, most of which it fortunately abandoned when the absurdity of those requirements had been demonstrated. > There was one point, however, on which tho Priblio "Works Department, acting for the Telegraph Department, remained firm, namely, the provision of what are known as guard, wires for the protection of telegraph and telephone wires. It was in vain that the Board and their engineer pointed out that such wired would be a source of danger to the public as well of delay, to the traffic and increased cost of maintenance, and that.the same result could be secured by a very much better system. The

Fublio Works Department absolutely insisted on the guard-wire clause being inserted in the Order-in-Council. More than "that, they stated that, it was their intention to insist on guard wires being provided in the Wellington and Dunedin systems. The Christchurch , Tramway Board, therefore, had no option but to include the guard wires in their contract. Now, when the necessary material and appliances have been ordered and delivered, the Government coolly turns round and through - the Superintendent of Electric Lines states that it will not insist on. guard wires except where heavy trunk wires'.cross or run near the Board's wires, if certain other steps aro taken to protect the Government Hnes. It seems pretty evident that it has at length* dawned upon the Government's advisers that the Tramway Board was right in its objections to guard wires, and that tho system proposed by Mr Chamberlain, the Tramway Engineer, was very much bettor. But, in the. meantime, the Board has

been put to the expense of getting the I guard wire. attachments, etc., and to carry out tho improved system will mean an . additional cost of at least £1000. Clearly this charge ought not to fall upon the Tramway Board, but upon the Government, which, is < simply and solely to blame lor this unnecessary expense being incurred. The Board has hardly sufficient money to pay even for the most necessary worki and if the Government insists on patting it to altogether unnecessary expense it certninly ought to recoup the amount. The Board, in our opinion, has been far too 'modest in merely asking the Government to pay for the temporary provision which will bo necessary while the; specially insulated cables now, specified by the/Department are being procured from Homo and erected.