THOSE TRAM RULES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1185, 21 July 1911, Page 6

THOSE TRAM RULES.

SUBJECT TO MODIFICATION. STATEMENT BY THE HON. K. M'KENZIE. (By Telegraph—Press Associations Christchurch, July 20. Tho Hon. R. M'Konzie, Minister for Public .Works, interviewed regarding tho proposed tramway regulations, Mid that the regulations wore subject lo mollification. It. must' bo quite evident that what might suit Uunedin might not suit Christchurch. There were different considerations to be.taken into account lor iliflcrent'placos. "The overcrowding regulation seems to be tho oiie to which most objection is raised," said tho reporter. "The trams arc allowed-to carry 75 per cent, over their seating accommodation, and that in my opinion is 25 per cent, too much, replied tho Minister. . Tho reporter suggested that tho regulation did not indicate that 75 per cent, overrenting accommodation would Ik> allowed. The Minister replied that there was ro getting away from the Act. If a cat could seat one hundred people it could carry 175, according to the Act. The queue system was next mentioned, and Mr. M'Kc'nzie at onco denied that it was being proposed. ■• "The queue system is not there," he declared. "Somebody with an active imagination put that in the papers. Ho must have got the. idea from Carlylo's 'Revolution,' ■ in which it is described how people were lined up waiting for bread." The reporter mentioned that the Tramway Board entertained the belief that they would have to employ men to regulate queues at places where passengers joined tho cars in large numbers. "They ca.n have men there if they like," said Mr. M'Kc'nzie. "Wo d:ii't want them there." "The subsidiary step, where tho steps arc higher than fourteen inches, is being condemned in Christclnirch," said the reporter. ' "I suppose the steps aro higher here," said Mr. M'Konzie. "I think that 14 inches is high enough for any woman with a child in arms to dismount from." ORGANISING A PROTEST. Tho conference of local body representatives, convened by the Wellington City Council, in order that a united protest may be made against tho enactment, by the Government, of tho lately issued draft tramway regulations, will assemble at 10.30 a.m. on Monday, in the Concert Chamber of tho Town Hall. The Welling, ton City Council will bo represented by its Tramways Committee. In the evening an indignation meeting, open to tho public, will be held. Invitations have been sent to all the local members of Parliament, and to a number of ex-Mayors and excouncillors of this city. Delegates from other centres who attend the conierence will also be invited to attend the indignation meeting.

On receipt of copies of the proposed tramwav regulations last evening, tho MiramaV Borough Council decided to enter its emphatic protest against the adoption of tho regulations. The Mayor.(Mr. J. Brodie) remarked that the enforcing of tho regulations would inevitably mean an increase in the tram fares, and could not possiblv be of any benefit to tho general public. He did not think.there was any need to discuss the. matter further. The corporation had its experts, and they could safely bo left to deal with tho matter. Delegates were appointed to attend the conference of local bodies which is to consider the proposed regulations. 11 ■