CHRISTCHURCH TRAMWAY BOARD.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10041, 8 January 1909, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH TRAMWAY BOARD.

(Pbr Press Association.) Christchurch, January 8. Speakingi at the Tramway Board's an nual meeting last night, the retiring chairman (Mr A. W. Beaven) Baid: "The fact that tie passengers per car mile aro the lowest on any Australasian tramway system with the exoeption of the small system at Kalgoorlie and Fremantle, is evidtenoe that Ohristcmirch cars aro not nearly so overcrowded on an average as those in other large centres. So long as the population, per mile of single track is so Email (namely, 1400, as against an average in Auckland, Wellington', and Dunedin of tie public cannot expect mora frequent services, lower fares, or larger surpluses, particularly when it as borne in mind that in Christchurch more than, one out of every three of the population own bicycles." The chairman reported that the traffic during Christmas hol.ida.ysi had been very good, and tho loading on all the lines such as would give good results to the Board's finances. Taking the seven days holiday period in November and the seven days in DecemberJanuary the total takings had been £8726 this year, as compared with £7729 last year. From both these figures wero to bo deducted refunds for entrance money to the racecourse and Waincmi, but tho figures did not include any cash received for concession cards. That the very largo number of passengers wero handled' without accident or hitch by the trams reflected credit on the officers and 6taff. A discussion arose in regard to tho carriage of volunteers to Redcliffs rifle range oir Saturday afternoons. Some letters wero received complainiiic' .that volunteers had been turned off an electric car and ordered to travel in a frailer. The chairman explained that tho volunteers wore granted special concessions in tho matter of fares, and the Board's endteavor had been to avoid congestion of traffic. It is tmderstood that the men have now decided to buy ordinary concession tickets in order to avoid travelling by the trams, as suggested by tho Board. Several members expressed the opinion that volunteers should receive every consideration, and the chairman remarked that apparently .the only course would be to make special arrangements for the carriage of men to Redcliffs in order to avoid interference with tho ordinary traffic. Mr Pearco was elected chairman for the ensuing year.