THE TRAMWAYS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7302, 14 April 1885, Page 3

THE TRAMWAYS.

20 THE EDITOR. Sib,—l cannot understand why certain City Councillors oppose giving facilities to the Tramway Company for making their line much more beneficial to the ratepayers than it is at present. Such an obitruotive pro* cedure is not in the interest of or for the benefit of the ratepayers. What are ithe facts ? The Tramway Company has a concession to lay rails in certain streets. It has a single line, with a few sidings, where can have to wait while others pass. Many more sidings, or really a double line of rails all through, are required for the comfort of the ratepayers. The company asks for a portion only of what is required. Councillors object. Now, let us probe a little further. The Tramway Company carry ratepayers in roomy well ventilated cars at 3d, the omnibus charge having been Gd, From 10,000 to 15,000 persons travel each week on the oars.. Suppose even 10,000 full threepenny fares do so, that means a weekly saving to ratepayers of £125, or £6500 a year, as compared with the old omnibus prices. The trait*, at threepenny fares—children half price—have enabled thousands of working men, their wives, and childien, to travel to and from town and the wharf, who could not often afford the omnibus charges of sixpence, with half that for children. They have, therefore, added a new comfort, convenience, and enjoyment to thousands, at » charge withim their means. It is remarkable what a large number of women with their children are passengers. Now, why should such a cheap and comfortable mode of conveyance not been* couraged by the ratepayers' representatives in every possible way ? What reason for thia obstruction ? What does the company get from the city ? A concession to lay rail*— that is all; with the proviso that it ehall, in return, keep so many feet wide of the street in repair. Do the cab-owners and omnibus proprietors and carters do anything of this f The benefits of the system, then, are : A reduction in fares from sixpence to threepence, and at night from 6d to a shilling, and a considerable length of street kept in good repair at no cost to the ratepayers. I will add I am in no way connected with the company. In another letter I will point oat some improvements which m&y well be madr in- the conduct of the service.—l am, &c, Ratepayer.