CITY TRAMWAYS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2368, 26 January 1915, Page 6

CITY TRAMWAYS

IMPORTANT ALTERATIONS

NEW SIDING AT COURTENAY PLACE Important alterations to the city tramway system were the subject of recommendations to the City Council last night-by the Tramways Committee. The tollowing recommendations were agreed to:— "That an alteration be made in the system of tramcar indicators by giving oach route a number, and erecting a box on each car with prominent num. bors, fixed to the platform shield; enamel plates bearing particulars of the routes to be erected at the principal stopping-places; and also that new destination screens be provided on all cars. Ihe estimated total cost is £175." "That in order to improve the Brooklyn tramway, a loop capable of holding two cars be constructed at Ohiro Iload, and another length of rail be laid at the Brooklyn terminus, to allow room for two cars to stand there. The total estimated cost is £100, and the work* are urgent." "That authority be granted for tenders to bo called for the -balance of the material required for the Constable Street tramway extension." __ "That the recommendation of the General Manager of Tramways for tho rearrangement of tho Courtenay Place Keserve alongside the tramway terminus be approved. The scheme provides tot moro building accommodation, more access to the- shops on the northern side of Courtenay Place, removing the picket fence and thinning out the shrubs at the reserve, formation of au additional reserve at Clyde Quay, and the laying down of a new tramway siding at Courtenay Place."

In connection with this recommendation, Councillor M'Kenzie suggested that a report be prepared as to the advisability of establishing a central working station on the east end of the Royal Oak block, to deal with congested traffic, more particularly from the theatres, as it was at present unsafe for pedestrians to cross the road on leaving a theatre. The Hue would also servo as a stationary point to leave trailers to be linked up when required. The report on .the lines ho suggested would save patchwork schemes, .and in the long run would probably mean less expenditure.

Councillor Fitzgerald expressed the opinion that the portion of the city between Lambton Station and Courtenay 1 laoo deserved a better service than tho present one, and this ho considered could be given by a loop from Courtenay Place round Clyde Quay and back to' Courtenay Place, the loop to bo connected with the Oriental Bay, Newtown, and Island Bay routes, so that cars could run on to any. . terminii* <rhen necessary.

Tho City Engineer explained that tho present scheme was to provide for emergency and rush traffic! He had been considering a scheme on the lines suggested by Councillor Fitzgerald, but on a rather enlarged scale. It would be absolutely necessary to soon make provision for relieving the congestion in Willis Street which ui rush hours was enormous. _ At pertain hours the cars were following one another in very close order, and he.had an idea that a method of dealing with the situation would bo by means of a loop line via Jervois Quay. The Mayor did not think that Councillor Fitzgerald's scheme should be considered at the present time. Councillor M'Keuzie's suggestion was, he thought, a valuable one, but did not affect the present situation. Tho Tramways Committee reported to the council that they had received a report from the General Manager of Tramways that all the palace and other cross-seated cars had now been altered to meet the requirements of the "Davey Clauso"; that Car 55 was shortly to be converted into a standard centre-en-trance type; that it was proposed to fit up one of the two Hong-Kong cars as a break-down emergency car. Two of tho latest type of cars had been completed and work was well in hand with Cars 103-109.. . '

Tho report was adopted,