CABS AND TRAMS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 7947, 2 December 1886, Page 7

CABS AND TRAMS.

TO THB EDITOK OF THE HEW ZEALAND TIME 3. Sir.—As a stranger staying for a short time in the Empire City, I cannot but remark on the inefficient manner in which the public convenience is 'considered by the owners of the tramway. The cars are dirty, shaky, and inconvenient, the so called guards often decidedly ". cheeky," a titne-tabte is not qbtained. except at the office, and although expressly stated on the published time-table that the fares are 3'i double fare is oharged by the uight tram 3. ClaVj fares are a puzzle and an extortion. Surely some more simple scale could be adopted than that at present in foroe. It is difficult to understand why it should cost Od to one corner of a street and Is or more 20yds further. Then, again, the usual fares only seem to apply to the level streets near, the Post Office, a cab drive up the Terrace or to New towh may cost 5s or 10s, and the horses generally decline to take a cab up a hill on any terms whatever. On Sunday neither cab nor tram is available to take passengers to .the morning or meet the evening trains. If a cab is ordered the charge is at least 10j, and the unlucky stranger. who employs the oab it fortunate if he has not .to pay 2(h. Surely the system in Ohriatchurch, Sydney, Melbourne, or Nelson, vis , that of Js for eaoh 1Q minutes, is much more simple and satisfactory for all parties. An extra oharge could be made of Is if a cab was discharged, say,' more than two miles from the post office. Experience of Wellington aompels everyone to avoid cabs and use the tramway as little as possible; It should be the duty of the City Council to look after these matters, and make the Empire Oity as comfortable as possible. It has very few attractions at present.—l ; am, &0., A Traveller.