THE KILBIRNIE TRAMWAY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 6182, 13 April 1907, Page 9

THE KILBIRNIE TRAMWAY

A TRIAL RVN. The* remarkable* expansion of Wellington in the opening up of new district# by means of electric traction was again exemplified yesterday, when a trial trip was made over tin* new route to Kilbirnie, by way of the tunnel through Mount Victoria. A ear containing about forty persons, including the Mayor and Mrs Hislop, several Councillors, the City and Klr*ch'leal Kngineon:, and other members of the City Council st-aif, representative,-; of outside local bod’e;, and readmits of Kilbirnie, left Clyde quay at 3 o’clock. Frequent stoppages v.-ere nuido at suggested stopping-plnees. the /ournoy to the present terminus at Min south end of Kvans Bay occupying about twenty minutes. Owing to some slight hitch, them was a short delay at the other end, but the return trip was eventually negotiated with complete success. The track was ■i little rough in places, but when the ears are running regularly it is expected that passengers from Kilbirnie South will ho nbln to arrive at the Rost Office well within a quarter of an hour after starting. Great interest was taken in the trial trip by Kilbirnie residents, who stood at their front doors or in their gardens all along the route watching the progress of the first car. At Kilbirnio a number of children invaded the tram, and were given a ride from the terminus to the hold corner and back. All that remains to bo done to the line is a little ballasting in places and the completion of (he facing at Iho Kilbirnie end of the tunnel. Not only will the service bo a great boon to tho residents of tho suburb, but it should prove highly popular as a means of egress from tho city to tho seashore. This popularity and utility will bo greatly increased on the opening of tho extension of tho lino to Miramar. This is expected to take place in about ton days; so nearly is it completed. Them was an informal gathering at tho Kilbirnie Hotel, whore tho members of tho party were tho guests of Air K. T. Tuytor. Air J. Watkiu Kinniburgh proposed tho health of tho Mayor (lion. T. W. Hislop), referring to tho efforts he and tho Council had made in bringing the lino to completion. There was no doubt, ho said, that tho routo selected was hotter lhari that originally chosen. In responding, tho Mayor said that (ho determination to have the trams running to Kilbirnie and to drive the (mind was come to before ho took ullic'c. At first ho had a certain amount of suspicion as to whether tho project might not affect tho finance:; of tho whole place detrimentally. (In consideration, however, it became apparent that tho work was one that should bo carried out. Tho Council faced it, and they had tho result. Ho considered that it was a happy circumstance that tho money originally Bofc apart for tho lino was too little, because tho present arrangement was hotter than tho one at first suggested. Moth tho tunned and tho route now laid out from it were, ho was sure, the best. Ho supposed that tho original projectors of tho scheme wore Iho old residents, but the voice hoard just before the undertaking was that of tho Hataitai Syndicate, tho members of which, whilst they had benefited themselves, had been philanthropists, even though they- did not mean to be. (Laughter). Ho proposed tho health cf Air Muir, a representative of the Syndicate. Mx Muir, in responding to the toast, remarked that tho members of the syndicate had not been actuated by a spirit of philanthropy, but they oxpeoted future benefits. (Laughter). Councillor Winder proposed the health of Messrs Alorton and Richardson, tho City and JOlcctrical Kngincors. ALr Morton responding. Air C. Crawford, Acting-Mayor of Aliramar, congratulated tho Alnyor and councillors and their engineering staffs upon tho successful completion of tho tramway. In Alessrs Alorton and Richardson, tho citv had the two most able u ..ou that could bo found for the post tions. (Applause).