YEAR OF EXCEPTIONAL ACTIVITY

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 84, 3 January 1940, Page 9

YEAR OF EXCEPTIONAL ACTIVITY

Wellington Tramways

REVIEW BY THE GENERAL MANAGER “The yetit' now closed has witnessed exceptional activity on (lie part of the .staffs o£ both departments in preparing for the Centennial celebrations, and particularly in providing the special services and facilities for the Exhibition,” says the general manager of the Wellington tramways and electricity department, Mr. M. Cable, in a review of the past year’s operations. "The electricity department, in addition to constructing a considerable number of new sub-stations in the city and suburbs, installed five high-tension substations and an extensive underground power reticulation system under the (buildings and throughout the grounds of the Centennial Exhibition. In view of the exceptionally heavy road traffic expected, hundreds of high-powered lamps were erected along the main routes to the Exhibition. Throughout the past year, the permanent way and overhead branches of the tramway departmbnt were fully occupied in providing special track and overhead facilities in the vicinity of the Exhibition. “An augmented staff was kept busy during the year at th£ Kilbirnie workshops in connexion with the construction of additional tramway and bus rolling stock to coiie with the traffic, to and from the Exhibition. Though the majority of the new vehicles were completed in time for the opening of the Exhibition, a number of the new tramcars are not yet available for traffic because of a shipment of roller bearings being held up by war conditions. “Because of the outbreak of the war and other unforeseen circumstances, the attendances at the Exhibition have not so far reached the figures expected 12 months ago, and consequently it has not been necessary to utilize the whole of •the department’s available accommodation in handling the traffic offering. I “Though heavier traffic will probably be experienced in the early portion of the New Year, the additional revenue earned is likely to be fully absorbed in meeting the cost of providing the augmented services, and consequently there will be no surplus toward recouping the department for the large expenditure incurred in providing the extra transport facilities. In view of this position, it behoves all concerned in handling 'traffic to do their utmost to give the department’s patrons the maximum service, and thereby encourage the greater use of the city’s transport facilities. The upholding by the tramway staff of the high tradition long associated with the Wellington undertaking will be greatly appreciated by the numerous visitors arriving in the city during the next few months, and will undoubtedly enhance the reputation of the services through the country.”