TRAMWAYS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10408, 5 April 1897, Page 3

TRAMWAYS.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sip.,—We have heard a good deal about syndicates, etc., taking over the Auckland tramway lines and conv erting them to the electric system, but it seems at present we are exactly where wo were at the start. One important point, however, never was mentioned, and that is the probable cost of converting our horse to electric traffic, and on this particular point I think it would be desirable the city iafhcis should know something, as it would in a measure guide them in granting certain concessions. I have before me the official statement of the contract tor conversion of the Aix La Chapelle tramway from horse to electric traffic. There are four branches from the city to different suburbs. Taken altogether they measure twenty-six kilometers, or about fifteen and a half English miles. The city paid for this actually New rails and contract for laying down same, £15,000 ; standards, wire, and feeding towers on route for overhead system, £10,000 ; 31 new electric motar cars, £18,250; miscellaneous extras, £1750; £45,000. This sum does not include building or ground for central station, neither steam power thereon, as the city owned already I building and machinery for supply of electrii light, and merely had to increase theii steam power on opening the electric tramway traffic. Surely it ought to pay this community to own ami work their own tramways, and by doing so set an example of selfreliance to their fellow colonists.—l am, etc., C. A. Ulrich. Auckland, March 31, 1897- !