TRAMS v. DRAGS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10562, 8 January 1896, Page 4

TRAMS v. DRAGS.

TO THIS RDITOTI. Sib,—ln reply to " Fairplay's " letter in yonr issue of the 4-th iust, I trust Ihe public will support both drags and trams, as opposition is the life of trade. Ac for cleanliness and civility the public is best able to judge, an self-praiso is no recommendation. As for cheap fares, myßelf and other 'bus proprietors claim the credit of reducing the fares to threepence long before the trams started, and I think the Pulsce Car Company rednced the present fares to penny sections. As for the poor tram shareholders, I think they are in a better condition thin the poor drag proprietors. As for an agreement, it was only by word that the tram company wanted the cab end drag proprietors to raise tho farce, and I. and others thought it was a catch so as the tram company could sell more tickets at reduced fares. As for fighting, as they call it, it is a sh'irae and a disgrace to the train company and borough councillors to allow the road from Civer«ha.m to Princes street to be in such a bsd state, »6 there are railway raib instead of tram vails, which cause a groove in the road from two to three inches square, which damages our carriages to a great eitent, causing rough riding and hard driving, as when passing other vehicles, and especially tramo, we have to keep continually crossing broadside. I beg to state, on behalf of my fellow drug proprietors and myself, tbat we are only trying to make a living, and the company have got themselves to blame for forcing the drrg* on the Leith by putting extra cars on the Caversbam line on' Saturdays and busy times. —I am, &!!.,• Dunedin, Jan. 7. Robert Phijiestes,

TO THE EDITOB. Sik, —Your correspondent "Fairpliy" is guilty of moot foul play in castiog aspersions on the characters of tha drivers of dregs at being apt to insult iadies who prefer riding in the cars to using the drags. Kost ladies prefer tho drugs as beiog mow ccnifo*tab!e r.nA better ventilated' than the cars, :is w<?ll as the fact that they have not to push their way through a throng of impertinent men or boya, whose bold glances or bad tobacco smoke make the task uupleasant. The drags present the additional advantage of being able to pick up pafsangers from the footpath anywhere, and a lady has not to walk to or from tho corner of a street, but is tnkeu rip or put down at tho door of tha establishmeut in which she wishes to do her shopping. It is not my purpose to contradict " Fairplay's" assertion that " conductors of trams are alwajs civil and obliging." It certninly is so with the drag proprieior?, whose livelihood and that of their wives and children depend upon their being obliging, respectful, and polite to their passengers. If they were uncouth bojc, employed for abont 15s per week, they migut be careless. As it is, Mr "Fairplay's" foul play muss recoil' upon the company whose cause he advocates, for the public will support flesh and blood rather than any monopoly.—l am, &c, Dunedin, January 7. Thos. Richabds. P.S.—" Fairpky " might sign his name with advantage to all concerned.—T. R.

TO THE EDITOH. Sib,—ln reply to " Fairpby's " letter I beg to state'that there is no fight between the drag proprietors and the tramway company, and there is no organised opposition, a 6 they would be just as anxious to tifee passengers from one another as to take Item from tbe company. As to the cost of travelling yeara ago " Fairploy" should bear in roii-.d tbe coft of living, the high wages then ruling, the few passengers, the high price of horses and fodder, the smslineßs of the vehicles, &c , and I think that could ba excused, for nons of them cenld ran in opposition to the trams, s-nd cabs could tbeu-ba bought for about £10, although when new they cost from £60 to £100. No compensation waa paid them for the depreciation of their property, but since then a chtsuge has come o'er the teens. The tables are turoad. Vehicles have b?,en built that can successfully compete with tbe trams as they havn bo managers, inspectors, I roadmen, conductors, nlerks to p»y, no rent for roads or offices, no directors, contractors, or printing tn pay for, &c, &o. As for increasing the fares " Fairplay " forgeta that we have a Cily Council who can fix what the fares shall be. As to the dirtyness of the drag* and the insults to pss=e:igcrs, these should be reported to Inspector 8.-.rron —-if they bava ever existed, —and the remedy should be that only proprietors should be licensed. ( But I do not tbink "Fairplay" Icdows aaylhiu'g about it, as I do nob believe lie has. ever ridden in a drag unless is has been a great convenience to him. •* As to the cabmen's agreement to charge 2d to , Ogg's corner, there was no agreement. They were requested to meet and entertain a proposal from the Tram Company, but would not do so. Silence was supposad to give consent, and there the Tram Company blundered. In conclusion, I beg to state right here that we have no wish to injure the Tram Company, but nnder the competitive system we have as cvqusl a right to try and make a living as, they have.—lam, &c, Dunedin, Jan. 7. Live and Let Live,