FORTY-FOUR YEARS' SERVICE

Evening Star, Issue 25769, 16 April 1946, Page 9

FORTY-FOUR YEARS' SERVICE

TRAMWAY EMPLOYEE RETIRES ASSOCIATION WITH HORSE-DRAWN TRAMS To have served the Dunedin City Corporation Transport Department since the days of the horse-drawn trams for a period of over 44 years is the excellent record of Mr J. Crawford, who recently retired from his position as motorman. Mr Crawford had become a well-known figure to many Dunedin citizens, and his lengthy service with the city" transport system has qualified him to give an interesting account of the history and development of the service. Mr Crawford joined the transport services of the city in 1901. shortly after the corporation had taken over from a private company. He commenced his career as a groom and night-watchman in the stables_ and car sheds, which were situated in Cumberland street. The building which housed the trams in those days is now occupied by the city electrical de-

partment, and shortly after the corporation took over the tramways from a private company this building was burnt out. Considering the fact that contracts had been accepted for the electrification of the tramway system, the corporation patched up the building and constructed temporary trams 'to carry on the service. These temporary trains consisted of no more than two forms, open to the weather, attached back to back, and drawn by a team of three horses. As most of the department's fleet of cars were drawn by teams of three horses, there were approximately 300 animals housed in corporation stables and grazing in corporation paddocks. The routes covered by the horse-drawn cars were to Hawthorne, (North-east, Valley), St. Kilda, Caversham. and Castle street as far as the Gardens gate. The George street tram went down Albany street, along King street past the Gardens, thence to Hawthorne. On Christmas Eve, 1903. the first passengers were carried by electric tram, and the electric system gradually expanded until it covered all routes. The last area, to be served by horsedrawn trains was between St. Kilda and Cargill's Corner. After serving in the St. Kilda stables and sheds as a groom and driver from 1903 to 1904, Mr Crawford transferred to the electric system and served for four years as a conductor, going on at the end of that period to a motorman. From 1908 until the time of his retirement he served as a motorman. During the period of his association with the tramways. Mr Crawford has held office in every social and sporting organisation conducted by the corporation transport workers.