ELECTRIC TRAMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10411, 8 April 1897, Page 3

ELECTRIC TRAMS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Whilst thanking you very ranch for publishing my letter in last Monday's paper, and your very lucid explanation thereon in to-day's Herald, permit me to cite a few other facts on the same subject, viz.: Electric Trams.

A line of electric trams from Kraukfurt-on-Main to Offenbach, length 20,000 feet, was opened with a double line of rails, as the traffic is very heavy: £37,500 capital was subscribed and paid up at once, giving the shareholders only 2.J per cent, dividends. It was found afterwards that £20,000 capital was more than sufficient for all purposes and accordingly it was reduced to that sum, thereby paying the shareholder live per cent, dividend. The most interesting facts of au electric tram combined with electric light, are that at the small town of Salznngen, one of the health resorts of patients during the season in Germany. A local firm of manufacturers having water power to the amount of 150 horsepower at their disposal, and employing about 1000 hands at their factory a couple of miles from the town, offered to supply the town with electric light, and also built the tram to their factory for convenience of themselves aud employees. The whole work was completed in three months, while the dispatch of business was so prompt that in four days the wires were all in place for the electric light, and the contract provided that even the smallest by-street had to be supplied. I have before me particulate re electric trams in Berlin, Vienna, Paris, Hamburg, Brussels, and others, but, 1 am sorry to say, none of British existence, perhaps some of the Auckland business people may be able to give information in that respect. All papers and drawings are at your service, or anyone interested in Auckland's progress, and I only hope a more able person may take the matter in hand. There is no doubt in a very few years Auckland, Onehunga, and other suburbs will have doubled their population, in fact, anyone with not their eyes wilfully shut can see it The different banks nave more money on hand than they know how to employ, and it would require no great efforts on behalf of the city fathers to make the necessary financial arrangements.

Electrical engineers will supply us With trains quick enough tor cash, and cash only, and why should we pay about 500 per cent to a syndicate for what we can accomplish ourselves.-I am, etc., C. A. Ulrich. Auckland, April 6, 1597.