THE TRAMWAYS.

Evening Post, Volume LXVIII, Issue 97, 21 October 1904, Page 5

THE TRAMWAYS.

QUESTIONS BEFORE THE CITY COUNCEj. DEMAND FOR MORE ROLLINGSTOCK. "What is the reason for the delay ia running the tramway through to Thorndon?" asked Councillor Devine last night. The Mayor said it was solely a question of obtaining a couple of posts for the electric wires. The Electrical Company bad dediaed to take any risks by splicing two poles together or- attaching the wires elsewhere. < Councillor Izaed wanted to know when the trams would run between the Government and tho Manawatu Railway Station. The Mayor said it was a question of raising the wires. Councillor Izard said the delay was causing great inconvenience. The Mayor was aware of that, hut it conlda't be helped. The Mayor, at the request of Councillor M'Laren, undertook to look into a question of compensating a conductor who was off duty for six days with a crushed thumb, and whether the guards could not have assistance at busy hours in the day. Councillor M'Laren said it was almost impossible at times for the guards to look after their poles and collect fares. Councillor Luke asked when the combination cars were to make their appearance on the line. The Mayor said that some alterations to the steps had been found necessary; they were too wide. The cars would be out shortly. Councillor Cohen raised the question of giving change on the cars. People ought to be notified that they must carry small change. Councillor Barber: We should issue tokens as change. Councillors seemed to recognise that the change question would have to be dealt with sooner or later. Councillor Barber moved: "That in view of the, fact that the present roilingstock is insufficient for ordinary requirements, and in order to provide further accommodation for the travelling public, the Electrical Engineer be asked to report as to tbe best and quickest means of obtaining an additional number of elecric cars, and that the Finance Committee be instructed to consider the 1 question of ways and means." ■ The mover narrated » number of instances of insufficiency of the rolling-stock, not only during emergencies like the service to Islandf Bay during the wreck sensation, but for ordinary passenger traffic during the bad weather. He said that it could not be disputed that the trams had been well patronised locally, and the revenue compared well with that derived on lines in centres in the Old Country. For instance, Ayr, with six miles of tramways, earned in a week ending sth August last, £487; -Blackburn, with 13A miles, £999 ; Burnley, 10.60 miles, £986 ; Darwen, 44 miles, £205; Dover, Similes, £296 ; Dundee, 12.56 miles, £861 ; East Ham, 6.6 miles, £748; Rochdale, 3 miles, £104; Rotherham, 7 1-3 miles, £476. Wellington, with about 5' miles, was, earning on an average over £100 a day. People in this colony moved about more than people at Home, and we had a good business. The getting of cars, made either in the colony or at Home, should be considered at once, even if the ratepayers had to be approached for a loan. Councillor Godber seconded, and urged that the cars could be made in the colony. Councillor Devine considered many people were still riding ror novelty, and he did not know whether the present rate of profit would keep up. A Councillor: We have notreached anywhere near the normal traffic yet. Councillor Izard, who supported the motion, said a car more suitable to quick traffic was needed, such as the Dunedin cars, which opened at the sides. People could enter and leave quickly. There were no deadlocks as on doubledeckers with* their down-stream and upstream of passengers. Councillor M'Laren : "These double-deckers are certainly not business cars." He had seen three or four of them all together on one line. He supported the motion. Councillor Smith said we had just as many cars running as any city of the same size. We had the right class of car, well-managed. Though there were hot enough cars at times, these cars were at other times almost empty. More cars were needed, and he could support the motion. Councillor Luke said that at the time the question of ordering cars was first considered, the Committee suggested 50, and the Electrical Engineer aavis- j ed that 32 would be sufficient for the I .mileage. He attributed the position tho Council was in to the Electrical Engineer not being sufficiently seized of the fact that people in New Zealand, were in a position to make more use of the cars than were people at Home. He was tho roughly disappointed with the manner in which passengers were carried home to Newtown in the evening. He gave instances. The motion was carried. The following motion of Councillor Frost was on the Order,-paper : — "That the Electrical Engineer be instructed to at once proceed with the necessary excavations and formations required toi the three authorised extensions of the tramways to and in the Melrose Ward." When this motion came up last evening, the Mayor said he waß satisfied that this work was being proceeded with as quickly as could be done. Councillor Frost then withdrew his motion.