TRAMS IN QUEEN STREET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19951, 21 May 1928, Page 12

TRAMS IN QUEEN STREET.

Sir, —Mr. Devereux's letter strikingly suggested to me the peculiar mentality of a certain type of amateur motorist, a mentality only possible of development in the present "jazz" period. Mr. l)evereux, like many others of his kind, is firmly of opinion that the object of the formation of the present excellent roads is to suit the needs of the pleasure-seek-ing motorist. When the convenience of such class is in any way threatened, such interference must not be allowed. Therefore, if the trams, which are absolutely necessary for the bulk of the people, interfere with the motor-cars, give up the tramcars. ' This peculiar mentality is becoming somewhat prevalent and needs drastic curbing. Mr. Devereux's suggestion would be laughed at in any of the southern towns. There is every probability of a flying boom, when we may expect some Auckland genius to suggest that all tall buildings, smoke-stacks, etc., be reduced to a certain level, so as not to interfere with aeroplanes. Luther. May 19, 1928. Sir, —The letter by Mr. Devereux gives the impression that people who travel by tram have not the slightest claim to consideration. His proposal to havs the centre of Queen Street turned into parking place is a monstrous one. As u matter of fact the streets should not be allowed for parking purposes at all and motorists should be compelled to erect parking stations, as is being done in other large cities. In San Francisco there are four sets of rails through the main thoroughfare and there is no suggestion to remove the trams. That street carries easily six times the volume of traffic that Queen Street does. Similarly in Sydney, Alelbourne and Adelaide, the trams run through the main streets, and the saine applies to practically all the Continental cities. To remove the trams from Queen Street would cause tremendous congestion at the Civic Square and the greatest inconvenience to people shopping in Queen Street. If parking were prohibited in Queen Street there would be plenty of room for all the traffic. The statement that shopkeepers would be harmed by parking restrictions cuts both ways, for, remove the trams from Queen Street and people who travel by tram will do their shopping elsewhere. Tram Passenger.