TRAM TO HALFWAY BUSH.

Evening Star, Issue 4942, 4 January 1879, Page 3

TRAM TO HALFWAY BUSH.

TO THR EDITOR. Sir, I wonder if Reid and Duncans, in choosing a route for the proposed tram to Roslyn and Halfway Bush could not have got any easier and more direct gradient than they have fixed upon. They go up the steepest part of the whole hill, and, instead of keeping as near asmight be to central parts, they lay the main line away to one side of the district. They- appear to be unfortunate, too, in their selection of a wire rope. Everybody I have consulted in reference to the motive power condemns this as being wholly unsuitable, and that for a variety of reasons too numerous at present to go into. They must occur to anyone acquainted with the ground. The tram mounts Mount Oenis is the central-friction wheel arrangement, and is the best for all traffic at all times having to ascend the Rosljn Hill. The load must climb—rot be drawn up the incline. If there be 1 800 passengers going to and fro daily on foot, it will only be a small percentage of that number that will risk their necks with a load on that might snap in Leven street. The central-friction wheel, on the contrary, would ensure safety, would accommodate as many vehicles at one time as you likp to put on—and which would pay the proprietary better far than passengers—it would exactly supply what is most of all wanted, viz., an easy and cheap transport of dray loads between the City and the plain at the Half-way Bush. Reid and Duncans should reconsider the matter. They deserve great credit for taking up the project, and may make sure that by remedying the defect* complained of they will be warmly supported by the public—l am, 4c., Kaikorai. January 4,1879.