MELBOURNE TRAMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19832, 30 December 1927, Page 7

MELBOURNE TRAMS.

COLLINS STREET SCHEME. PROPOSAL AND A PROTEST. ~\ i [from our own correspondent.] SYDNEY, Dec. 15. Collins Street, Melbourne's show thoroughfare, is to lose much of its beauty. That is, if the Tramways Board gets its way. For months there has been discussion whether or not electric trams should replace the cable cars. At first the Tramways Board seemed willing to preserve the beauty of Ctllins Street by continuing cable traction. It would be the only cable route in the city, but that would give the street an air of distinction. But now the board has , announced, in its autocratic way, that Collins Street trams will be electrified. No other bodies interested in the matter have" been consulted by the board. Even the City Council has been ignored. ' The board has suddenly made up its mind and is apparently determined by hook or by crook to force electric trams on Collins Street. As a result the board has antagonised a large section of the public. Protests are being raised on all sides. And a strong effort will be made to induce Parliament to take the matter up. For although the board may say that Collins Street must be electrified, it cannot proceed with the work until Parliamentary sanction is obtained. The Leader of the Opposition is bitterly opposed to the board's scheme and the Labour Government is hardly likely to be enthusiastic over it. There are many who think that all trams will .have to be removed from the city within soven years to make room for morts mobile transport—the motor.