CLAIM FOR A PENNY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14133, 7 August 1909, Page 6

CLAIM FOR A PENNY.

QUEEN-STREET TRAM FARES.

A PASSENGER'S PROTEST.

Since the work of carrying out the alterations to the tramway lines at the corner of Queen and Wellesley Streets was commenced there have been several complaints on the part of through passengers from the various suburbs at. the charge of made on the special .Queen-street cars, which are being run to and from Wellesley-street to the terminus. This means an addition of gd to the ordinary fare, and it is contended that this should not be charged, but that transfers should be given on the first car boarded, to enable passengers to reach their destination for the ordinary charge. Several protests have been made by passengers, who claim that the extra charge is one that the Tramway Company is not. entitled to make. On Thursday, Mr. F. M. Downs, a passenger from Ivhyber Pass, on boarding a car in Queenstreet with a friend paid the extra Id demanded under protest. He afterwards applied for a refund, but this being resultless, he decided to test the question. He, accordingly, took out a summons yesterday against the company, claiming the sum of Id, which, lie alleges, he was illegally charged. The case is set down for hearing on August 19. The company, on the present occasion, are - adopting the same course that was followed some two or three years ago, when the traffic at the intersection of Queen and Wellesley Streets was interrupted through a similar cause. The town clerk (Mr. H. W. Wilson), on being seen on the subject, said that the deed of delegation provides that the fares from the foot of Queen-street to Khyber Pass and to the top of Pitt-street shall be Id, but there appears to be no provision in regard to such circumstances as the present. The Council has, however, written to the Tramway Company asking that transfers be provided.