DUNEDIN AND KAIKORAI TRAM.

Evening Star, Issue 11656, 17 September 1901, Page 7

DUNEDIN AND KAIKORAI TRAM.

TO THE EDITOB. Sir, —I and others are indignant at the treatment we have received through the ingratitude of the directors of the above company in raising the fares. The significance of the rise ia not worth consideration ; it is the principle that is so objectionable. During the time that it has been working full fare has been collected for the part journey times without number from as many as fifty and sixty passengers on one •tram. Patrons expressed sympathy with the company, and still continued their support, in expectation of being repaid when the new rope was in. When this line wis first talked about the Kaikorai and Roslyn Company's directors put every conceivable obstacle in the way, with the object <.. i stopping its formation; nor did they concede a point until all their tactics wer.' frustrated, and they were ultimately compelled by law to submit. The Dunedin and Kaikorai Company started with twelve Miips for a shilling. The Kaikorai and Roslyn Company decided to go one better, and made it fourteen snips for a shilling. After nine months' trial it was found nob to pay. They approached the director* of the other company with a view of raisin" the fares from fourteen to twelve snips for a shilling, which was agreed to. Tho directors of the Dunedin and Kaikorai swallowed the leek, shook hands over the past »nd agreed to be submissive in the future to their would-he dictators. The Kaikorai and Eoslyn have made no concessions < the other company have—viz., 4d return for the full distance, and 2d for the up trip to the top .of the hill and Id down. Perhaps the directors will say why they have granted this concession to one part of their patrons and not the other. By their action they have alienated sympathy and support, and played into the'hands bf the opposition service. I would strongly advise the directors to

take a lesson from the railway returns for cheap fares, and by similar methods encourage people to travel, I contend that it is more profitable for the down cars to be loaded at a halfpenny than to carry a dozen for a penny. It,is the large amount that is carried that pays at a low charge. High charges are prohibitive.—l am, etc., Shaeeholder. September 7.