OUR MUNICIPAL TRAMWAYS. THE HALF-YEAR'S RETURNS.

Evening Post, Volume LXI, Issue 85, 12 April 1901, Page 6

OUR MUNICIPAL TRAMWAYS. THE HALF-YEAR'S RETURNS.

Wellington's tramway service is attracting much attention just now, on account of the loan proposals which are to be placed before ratepayers next week. Vvhen the service was taken over by the Corporation in October last, it was claimed that the city had made a good investment. How good ihat invest tni: .is can be seen from the r. uriw for the 'first six months of the working of the service by the Municipal officers. The receipts from fares and other ,«3Ources in the six months have amounted to £12,266 17s lid. The amount *or each month was as foHows : — Octooer, £l!? 80 10s Id-; November, £1944 12s 8d ; 'December, £1836 3s 6d ; January, £2640 6s 2d ; February, £2127 18s ; March, £1937 7s 6d. Wfe. are unable to give such details of *the balance-sheet as would show how much of this sum remains as profit to the ©orporation. It is known, however, that the earnings during the six months have been sufficient to pay the late proprietors the •amount awarded to them by the arbitrators under the heading of profit for the two years unexpired portion of their lease, which they lost through the Municipalisation of the trams. This amount for two years is £4920. The interest for the half-year on the City Tramway Loan (dB400), has also been paid, and still there remains a credit balance. Of .course there are many other expenses in the running of the service, but the returns indicate that in its tram service the city has on undertaking which is more than paying for itself.