CABLE TRAM FAREWELL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20331, 12 August 1929, Page 7

CABLE TRAM FAREWELL

A RIOTOUS SEND-OFF.

MELBOURNE- STREET HILARITY.

LOAD OF 150 PASSENGERS. A most amusing account of the final trip run on a Melbourne cable-car route is given in a recent issue of the Argus. The Melbourne cable-cars, a strange survival of the past, have long been t!io butt of innumerable jokes. "I was on the first, and I'll be on the last," said a grey-haired man in the crowd in Collins Street at the corner of Spencer Street shortly before midnight, lie was waiting for the cable tram which would be tho last to make the journey from the city to Victoria Bridge. After 43 years of servico the line is being converted to electric traction. About 100 persons assembled at the city terminus—some of them waited for about an hour—to have tho distinction of travelling on the last tram.

"I was on the first tram on this line, too," remarked another man. "It was in '84."

"Xo," said the grey-haired man; "it was in 'B6. I was on the dummy." "Were you?" replied the other. "Well, that is funny, because I was oh tho dummy, too—shake!" Solemnly they shook hands. "We'll be on Ihe last," they said in unison. Lsut neither of them was, for when the "last" arrived it was already in possession of a vast and rowdy crowd, which had had the enterprise to board it during its journey to tho city. A few of those waiting at the terminus, including two constables and an inspector of the Tramways Board, managed to scramble on, but the majority were left lamenting. The two grey heads were among them—youth is an advantage in such undertakings—and thev were inconsolable Sadly they decided to share a taxi-cab. Passengers on the Roof. At 10 minutes past midnight t;ie conductor "punched tho clock," and a deafening cheer was given as tho tram began its last journey. Escorted by many motor-cars, it proceeded slowly up Collins Street to the accompaniment of catcalls, cheers, and the continuous clanging of the gripman's bell.

Every available inch of space was" occupied. Passengers clung ,to "the stanchions of the dummy, sat with their legs dangling out of the windows of tho "trailer," and even stood on the roof in defiance of the efforts of the constables and the tramways inspector to dislodge them. It was estimated that the tram carried more than 150 passengers. Wedged tightly on the rear platform (he conductor was unable to attempt to take fares.

The gripman was "Sam" Cubitt, aged 70 years. Having been for 44 years m the service he was making his last trip before a well-earned retirement. Owing to the press of passengers on the front of the dummy he was unable lo sec ahead, but ho did not mind, as there was little traffic. Groups of people assembled in the doorways of the Federal Hotel, Scott's Hotel, and even of the Melbourne Club, and cheered the tram as it passed. • The passengers maintained a continuous din. Everything suggestive of the new order of things was vigorously hooted—an electric tram in William Street, the standards for carrying the new overhead gear at the top "of Collins Street, and a large motor-bus in all the mockery of its shining green paint. A large crowd was waiting for the tram at Victoria Bridge, but fears that attempts would be made to "souvenir" portions of it proved to be groundless. The people were content to climb all over the tram and to make a noise. "Three cheers for Sam Cubitt," said somebody, and they were heartily given. Inevitably the singing of "For he's a jolly good fellow" followed. The Crowd Alarmed. An accident was narrowly averted as the tram was being shunted. The crowd was pressing closely round the front of the dummy, and fearing that souvenirhunters might become active a Tramways Board inspector seized the grip and started, the tram. There were cries of alarm as the crowd moved back, but fortunately ho damage was done. About 40 persons standing -on the roof wero in danger of being swept off as the tram entered the shed. Many scrambled down just in time, while the others lay flat on the roof, and were carried inside the shed with only a few inches to spare. In the shed the gripman was surrounded by hundreds who were earger to shake his hand. He received their' congratulations with becoming modesty, and eventually managed to escape to the men's dressing room, where he said good-byo to his fellow employees. The crowd gave cheers for the gripman, cheers for the conductor, cheers for the tram, and cheers for themselves, and-then departed. "Did you have a good trip, Sam ?" asked a young conductor in the men's quarters. "Not bad," said "Sam" Cubitt as ho hung up his cap for the last time in his official career. It was his only comment. The next day a service of motor-buses was begun tho route. It will bo continued until the conversion has been completed.