TRAMWAY ANNIVERSARY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21342, 17 November 1932, Page 12

TRAMWAY ANNIVERSARY

INAUGURATION OF SYSTEM

THIRTY YEARS AGO TO-DAY

Thirty years ago to-day Auckland's electric tram system was officially inaugurated. Much pomp and ceremony was attached to the occasion. First there was tho starting of the machinery at the powerhouse by the Mayor of Auckland, Mr. A. Kidd, then tho first electric car was set in motion by Sir John Logan Campbell, there followed a luncheon in the Choral Hall, the celebrations concluding with a ball at Rocklands, Epsom, tho residence of Mr. P. M. Hansen, local director of tho Tramways Company. The power-houso was in Lower Hobson Street. According to a statement made by the Mayor, the work cost £450,000.

The first tram, followed by five others laden with invited guests, was driven by Sir John Logan Campbell, to whom the town clerk, Mr. 11. W. Wilson, presented a souvenir "motorman's licence," bound in red morocco and mounted in silver. The passage of the cars through the streets was watched with the greatest interest by the public. So seriously did they regard the occasion that it is on record that "several persons were observed placing coins, pins and other articles upon the lines in front of approaching cars, which, on being picked up afterwards, appeared to give their owners much satisfaction." Many accidents occurred when tbo trams were first inaugurated owing to horses shying at the then novel vehicles. On the first Monday after the opening ceremony a horse and trap driven by Dr. Ooldie fell on the rails in front of the Herald Office and the driver of a large doublo-decker car coming down the street could not check it before it struck the horse, severely injuring it. On the opening day a horse ridden by a young man became frightened at a car at (ho top of Pitt Street and jumped on the footpath, falling on the rider and breaking his leg. The novelty of the occasion caused largn crowds to gather and attempt lo obtain a ride on the opening day. It was estimated that 15,000 passengers were carried during the day and 9000 or 10,000 refused. There were 10 cars in use most of the day and they were all filled on every trip. It was recorded that "one gentleman purchased 3s worth of tickets, mounted a car in the morning and sat there for as many journeys as the said tickets entitled him to. Several ladies spent the afternoon in similar fashion."