THE CITY TRAMWAYS. TROUBLE AT ORIENTAL BAY.

Evening Post, Volume LXVIII, Issue 46, 23 August 1904, Page 6

THE CITY TRAMWAYS. TROUBLE AT ORIENTAL BAY.

Ono of tho effects of lnsfc week's storm will mean a further delay in tho opening of the Oriental Bay section of the now line. Near tho terminus of the lino, nt Rosenenth, a portion of tho roadway on tho sea aido has been washed Awny to such an extent o» to threaten the safety of the lino. This result wn-s wholly unexpected, by the Electrical Engineer, as it was thought that plenty of room had been loft between tho sea aud the tramway track. We understand that tho Public Worka Department pointed out the dangerous position of affnirs to tho Corporation, nnd intimated that alterations would havo to be effected beforo the permit to uso tho line would be granted. A member of the Post staff visited bhe spot this nftornoon; and found that the Government Department had acted promptly and wisely in the matter. Tho damaged road is on the bend at tho terminus of tho section of tho now lino, and tho outside rail of tho siding is within 3ft or 4ft of a crumbling bank of clay. As only a small portion of the bank has been washed away, it seems remarkable that \tho Corporation's engineer should have allowed the track to be constructed so near the soa upon such a foundation, which the soa haa been undermining for some time past, . A seawall is to be constructed along that part of tho water front which has affected tho tramway works, and will join two concrete buttresses which wero specially constructed on the beach for the purpose of holding the trolley poles at this spot. It appears evident that other portions of tbo roadway along which tho electric track runs around the chore of Oriental Bay needs attention, and retaining walls arc needed. . A compreben-. uive acbomo of esplanade or road construction in this neighbourhood is urgently, needed in connection. witU the coming of the electric tramways, as there will be a very narrow thoroughfare for other vo"hicl«s in certain parts of tho bny when tho cars are travelling. The Mayor and tho Electrical Engineer visited tlio terminus of tho lino a,i Oriental Bay this morning, and inspected the scene of the washout^ which means further ckby in "the opening of the line. » Tho putting in of tho extra loop-line in Post Office-*quaro haa been commenced. Tho overhead trolly wires wero alao being re-arraijged to-day. Tho cnntatictors' gangs aro working expeditiotunly along Lnmbton-nnay. The mils nro down as far as tho' Polico Station, and me excavators havo turned past tho front, of Mr. Mee's chemist shop.