A CHAT ABOUT TRAMWAYS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 13049, 14 December 1905, Page 6

A CHAT ABOUT TRAMWAYS.

AUCKLAND COMPARED WITH , ; OTHER CITIES. i INTERVIEW WITH MR. M. F. OAREY. Me. M. F. Carey, chief electrical engineer to the Auckland Electric Tramways j Company, who has just returned from a trip to Great Britain, America, and Canada, imparted to a Herald representative yesterday some of his impressions regarding the 36 tramway systems inspected by him during his tour. Dealing first with different styles of cars, Mr. Carey said that .whilst elaborately-constructed and furnished cars were in vogue on systems | which had been established some ten or twelve years, the modern idea was largely 1 in favour of the plain car with uncushioned ! wooden seats,, similar to those in use in Auckland. It was considered by sanitary authorities that cushioned scats were simply a medium for the collection of dust and disease germs, and' on the score of health their use was being discouraged, 11l regard to the permanent way and overhead construction the Auckland . system compared very favourably witn those which had come under his observation during his tour. Respecting general manipulation, also, lie considered that the Auckland Company had nothing to learn from the systems inspected by him. The Auckland fares were much lower per car mile, and the number of cars in use in proportion to the population was greater than in at least 75 per cent, of the cities visited. In regard to speed, the Auckland trams ■ compared- favourably with those in America and Canada, except in the case of some systems which operated over absolutely flat surfaces instead of having heavy gradients to contend with, as in Auckland. " How does Auckland compare with other cities in regard to accidents?" ■ "I was greatly surprised," replied Mr. Carey, "on going into statistics, to find that wo are fully 20 per cent, lower in accidents of all kinds'than any system visited by me—that is, of course,, in proportion to the car mileage and the number of passengers carried per annum. ' The manager of one of the most up-to-date companies in Canada informed me that their yearly accident bill amounted on an average to 100,000 dollars." _ On the question of-overcrowding being touched on, Mr. Carey said that in the United States and Canada overcrowding was permitted without the slightest restriction. Passengers wero allowed to stand oil the running-board-of the toast-rack cars, on. the platform steps, on the collision fender, and, in fact, anywhere where a foothold could bo obtained. In Great Britain, althougn passengers were carried to the extent of 15 or 18 passengers per car in excess of the seating accommodation, none were allowed to stand on the steps or the running-boards, .as in Canada and the States. On the subject of proposed improvements in Auckland, Mr. Carey said that, as already stated, the company had decided to have five new cars built locally. The trucks and electrical equipment for these had already been ordered, and would arrive here by the time that the bodies of the cars were completed. It was intended to give the air-brake, as well as the magneticbrake, a trial. The boiler power at the power-station would also be increased. In reply to a parting remark anent the dust problem, Mr. Carey said that uhe use of electric sprinklers, which were doing good work in other cities; must be deferred until terms were made with the City Counci\