THE TRAMWAY REGULATIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15195, 14 July 1911, Page 2

THE TRAMWAY REGULATIONS

A ST,OEM OF PROTEST. CONDEMNATION BY PUBLIC MEN. (Feoh Oto Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, July 13; The interest and indignation aroused by the proposed tramway regulations continue, and the newspapers are devoting a large amount of space to the subject. The full text of the principal regulations is as follows : INSPECTION. 2. Every carriage employed 011 a tramway may bo inspected by the inspector from timo to time, as he thinks fit. 3. The manager and promoters of every tramway shall, if 60 required by the inspector, place any carriage which he desires to inspect over a suitable pit or other place in such a position that the under portion of the carriage and the motors, brakes, wheels, and other appli-ances-or gear connected therewith may be conveniently examined, and shall also provide such lights, tools, and electric or other energy, and shall give 6uch assistance as may be reasonably required to enable the inspector to properly and thoroughly examine, test, and inspect all portions of such motors, brakes, wheels, and other appliances or gear, and any oilier part of the carriage, and anything therein contained.

4. The manager and promoters of every tramway shall also allow the inspector to make 011 the tramway itself such tests as to the efficiency and capacity of the motors, machinery, brakes,. and other appliances of any carriage and as to their suitability for service on any or all portions of the tramway as lie reasonably requires, and for that purpose the promoters shall supply such electric current or other power, and the services of such motormen, conductors, and artisans as the inspector thinks necessary. Provided, however, that nothing herein shall authorise the inspector to interfere with the running of other carriages required for the public servicc of the tramway, or otherwise to hinder such service unduly. Regulations sto 11 deal with the issuing of licenses for carriages and the posting up of these licenses.

12. (1) If at any timo during the currency of a license the inspector reports or tho Minister has reason to believe that the carriage is not fit or eafo for public tarffic, the Minister may by notice in writing to that effect sent to the manager forthwith suspend the license for that carriage, and if the manager fails within such reasonable time as the Minister determies to make the carriage fit and safe for public, traffic, the Minister may thereupon by like notice cancel the license. (2) If at any time a carriage which is licensed meets with serious injury by fire or other accident, so as to make it unsafe for public traffic, the license shall thereupon be deemed to be suspended until such time as the inspector certifies that tho carriage is again safe and fit for public traffic. (3) When a license is suspended or cancelled under the provisions herein contained, the carriage to which that license refers shall not be used for public traffic during the continuance of that suspension or (if cancelled) until a new license is granted in respect thereof, and if that carriage is so U6cd 1 tho promotors and manager shall severally be liable as for a breach of these regulations. PASSENGERS. 13. (1) A license under these regulations may authorise the carriage of passengers as herein after specified—namely :— ( (a) A number for which in the opinion of the inspector reasonable seating accommodation is provided (1) inside the carriage and. (2) on the top -or upper deck of the carriage, (b) An additional number for which in the opinion of the inspector, and subject to the provisions of clauses Nos. 16 and 18 of these re- ■ gulations, there is sufficient standing accommodation inside the carriage not exceeding 75 per cent, of the number of passengers,for whoiti seating accommodation is provided inside the carriage. . .. . . !v .'.. ...

.(2) No such license shall authorise (c.) tho carriage of' passengers on the top: or upper deck of any : carriage other than passengers for whom seating accommodation is. provided, nor the carriage of pas-, sengers on any step, stair, or platform of. any carriage. ■ (d) The carriage on any. cable tramway of any passenger for whom seating accommodation is not provided. (3) In no case shall authority be given under a license for the carriage of a' greater number of passengers than herein before provided, nor shall authority be given in any case for the carriage of standing passengers, unless they can be so carried without unduly inconveniencing other passengers, or without impeding the driver or conductor in the carrying out of their duties respectively. 14. In determining the seating capacity of any carriage p.ot more than one passenger shall be allowed for each complete 16in of the longitudinal'measurement of each seat.

15. (1) No person shall enter or attempt to enter any carriage or any part thereof as a passenger if that carriage already contains the maximum number of passengers which it is licensed to carry, and no person shall enter or attempt to enter any such carriage as a passenger while it is in motion, or at any stopping place when it is at rest until the passengers desiring to alight at that place have done so, and the conductor shall not allow any person to remain .011 the carriage beyond the number which the carriage is licensed to carry. For the purpose of this regulation. a child under the age of three years and in arms shall hot be counted as a passenger. A child or young person between the age of three and twelve shall be counted half a passenger, and person over the age of 12 shall be counted a passenger. (2) The • manager and .promoters shall take such steps as .may bo necessary to prevent the carriage of pas : sengers on any carriage beyond the number which it is licensed to carry, and'for that purpose they shall at termini or other places where large numbers of passengers congregate station a responsible officer to keep order and to arrange as far as possible that passengers desiring to ride in any carriage shall be accommodated .in the order of priority in which they have arrived at such terminus or place. (3) Nothing in 'these regulations shall affect the right of the manager or other employee of any tramway or of any constable to ride oil any portion of the carriage if his duty requires hini'so.to do. 16. In determining the proper number of passengers (if any).who may be ailowed to stand in any carriage the inspector shall, subject to the foregoing provisions, observe the following rules:—(a) Where the seats are longitudinal, or where they are arranged across the carriage,'and there is'a clear space for the ingress of and egress of passengers through the length of. the carriage, tiie-number of passengers allowed to' stand shall not exceed the number that can comfortably' be accommodated in a single line all facing one way along such clear space between tho adjacent seats, (b) In the case of carriage or portion of carriages where seats are arranged across tho carriages = and where the-backs of such seats are pot reversible, and where such seats form compartments and there is no longitudinal corridor in the carriage, the number of passengers allowed to stand shall not exceed half "the number of passengers for whom seats are provided in such compartment.

17. A hanging strap of suitable pattern and within reasonable reach shall Iks provided for each standing passenger.

18. Notwithstanding anything in the preceding regulations the Minister may, in the case of any tramway or of any section or of any part of a tramway where the grade is steeper than 1 in 11, or where in his opinion tho brake-power of the carriage is insufficient, refuse to grant a license for the' carriage of any standing passengers 011 that tramway or section or part thereof, or may reduce the number for which a license may be so granted to such number as 110 thinkes fit.

19. (1) The manager shall cause to l.e painted in 1 block letters at- least 1 jin high and maintained in a prominent position on the outer side of the dashboard of every rarriago at ewh end a 6 ta Anient of tJie

number of passengers which the carriage is licensed to carry, distinguishing between those for whom seats are provided and those (if any) who may stand, but if tho license provides that, 110 standing passengers are to bo carried 011 any section or part of the tramway, a statement lo that effect must appear on tho dashboard. If the car is a double-deck car, there shall be added the words " No passengers allowed to stand 011 top." (2) The manager shall also cause to be painted in a prominent position inside every carriage a notice in block letters at least high of the number of the seated and standing passengers respectively that may be carried inside that carriage. •. CARRIAGES, APPLIANCES, AND FURNISHINGS. 20. Hie carriages on each tramway shall bo numbered, and 11a two carriages on the same tramway shall bear the same number, and neither the manager nor the promoters shall alter the number of any carriage without the written consent of the Minister. 21. The manager of every tramway shall from time to time, when required so to do, supply the Minister with a full description of cach carriage in use on the tramway with its number. 22. Tiie promoters shall provide on every carriage such appliances and furnishings as will, in the opinon of the Minister, be sufficient to insure the safety of passengers of the tramway employees and of the general public; and, in particular, every such carriage (a) shall be provided with brakes which, in the opinion of the _ Minister, are sufficient to stop the carriage within reasonable distance upon any grade on which that carriage is licensed to Tun, having regard to standard English practice; (b) shall have steps fitted in such a position that passengers shall easily enter or alight from the carriage, and, if the step of any carriage is not placed within Win of the ground, tho promoters shall provide and maintain on tho carriage a movable step, which the •conductor shall, on request by any passenger, use ii) assisting that passenger to enter or alight; (c) shall have a compartment on the platform at each end of .the "carriage to be reserved for the sole use of the motorman and conductor. PlO. vided that, in the case of a cable tramway grip-carriage, a central compartment shall be so reserved for tho exclusive use of tho driver thereof; (d) shall have effective and strong gates,, doors, or bars provided for every entrance to be closed 011 tho off side (meaning thereby tho right, hand side when looking in the direction in which the carriage Is travelling) of tho carriage, during each journey; (e) shall have convenient grip handles and hanging straps sufficient for the. safety of passengers and employees whenever necessary; (f) shall be provided with an automatic lifeguard at each end of a pattern to be approved by the Minister; (g) shall have a movable seat or rest, for the motorman.. the height of which shall be sufficient to enable the controller handles of tho carriage, in the case of electric cars, or the reins or brake handles where' the carriage is drawn by horses, to be easily worked by the motorman. No seats are to be provided for the gripmaii or motorman on cable cars or for the driver on steam carriages. (h) Shall have at each end a loudsounding gong, so fixed as to enable the motorman to give warning of the approach of the carriage, (i). Shall, unless otherwise specially authorised by the have under the canopy at each end of' the carnage two bells or gongs for the use of passengers fixed one at each side at cach end. Tho pair of gongs on each side shall be connected by a leather cord running through the carriage within easy reach of the passengers, who, by pulling down the cord, may ring the gongs at each end. In the case of trailer cara provision shall also be made to connect tho bell therein with the bells on the motorman's platform, and, in the case ol carriages carrying passengers on top, suitable fittings shall be installed at each end of the carriage to enable those passengers to notify the motorman of their desire to alight.., .(j). Shall be provided with four sand boxes, placed so as to deliver sand on the rail close to and_ in (ront of the leading' wheels on each side. The.- top of tho sand' boxes shall be covered by a watertight cover. The tube delivering the sarii.to the.rail must be'straight and Honcollapsible," and must be held firmly in place as' close' to thb- rail as possible. The boxes shall be provided with a heavy closing ..spring valve of a form which will deliver only a small quantity of sand each time the valvo is opened. The valve shall be so arranged as to be easily operated by the motorman. (k) Shall, in tile case of electric cars, liave the handles of the brakes so arranged as to bo always under the control of tlio right hand of the motorman. In cable cars the handles shall be placed in the centre of the car, so . as to be capable of operation by the, motorman by both or either hand. On electric cars the- controller shall be placed on tho left-hand side of the platform at e.lch end of the carriage, so as to be conveniently operated by the left hand. The whole of tho gear required to be manipulated by the motorman or coductor on any carriage shall, as far a 6 possible, be of the same pattern on all carriages on the tramway, and shall occupy the same relative positions so that similar movements shall require to be performed in all cases in the working thereof. (1) Shall in order to prevent too much, slack in the trolly ropes and to keep them handy and ready for instant use, have thereon a movable weight, which will cause the rope to hang in a bight when tho lower end is secured to the dash-rail head, (m) Shall have trolly poles long enough to allow of the head projecting beyond the tail of the carriage so as to be easily visible to tho conductor, and be well under his' control. In long carriages two trolly poles must be fitted to comply with these requirements, and the upward push of the pole must be sufficient to prevent derailment during heavy gales of wind. Trolly heads shall not be immovably fixed on the pole, but shall be jammed therein with sufficient pressure only as will enable them to become easily detached in the event of their catching in the overhead equipment. (11) Shall after sunset have a powerful light in the centre of the outside of the dashboard at each end of the carriage. Tho light 011 the front dashboard shall show white, and that on tho rear dashboard shall show red. (0) Shall, after sunset, carry at each end of the carriage an < oil, acetylene, or other lamp properly lighted, (p) Shall in addition to the lamps mentioned in the preceding sub-clause, have lamps fitted in such manner as may be sufficient to clearly illuminate the whole of the interior of the carriage and the exterior platforms and steps while the same are being used after sunset by passengers. The door or window of the carriage immediately behind the motorman's seat must be opaque, so that lights going through the same shall not interfere with his vision when looking ahead, (q) Shall, where the carriage is an electric one,-be provided with a switch at cach end, placed under the canopy,! and within easy reach of the motorman, for switching off the current from the motors. Ono of these switches must combine the functions of an automatic circuit-breaker or cut-out for protecting the motors against an excessive rush of current should the power be applied too rapidly. If, however, the system of wiring adopted in such carriage be one in which the two switches are in series, then in such case one only of such switches need be automatic, but if the switches are 011 independent circuits then in such case both switches must be automatic, (r) Shall in the case of a double-deck electric, car have a red lamp fixed under the canopy, placed in series with the trolley standard and earth, to indicate any leakage of current which from such a source would be dangerous to passengers, (s) Shall in tho case of an electric carriage also have a fuse cut out as an additional precaution should the automatic switch fail to act. It should be placed in an accessible position on the lower part of the carriage, where it will not injure anyone when blowing. (t) Shall .'n tho caso of an electric carriage also be supplied with one lighting guard and the usual kicking coil, to be fitted underneath the carriage, and so that the gap which the lightning must jump shall bo 1-32 of an inch, (u) Shall in case of an electric carriage also have the power and•:reversing shafts interlocked so, that it is not possible to reverse the motors whilo the power is on, or to apply power wliile the rovorciug handle te tn* the off

position, and it must also bo possible to remove the handles only when in tho off position. (v) Shall have all the steps thereon, rendered safe by fixing thereto suitable indiarubber or strips of roughened iron to prevent passengers from slipping thereon, (w) Shall in the case of adoubledeck. carriage have no roof or covering whatever over the upper deck, (x) Shall be fitted with approved route and destination indicators at each end and on cach side end. Indicators shall be placed on the top of the. canopy and side indicators on the caves on tho top. At night tho ronto and destination indicators shall be illuminated, and the routes indicated by coloured lights, (y) Shall have all other necessary appliances and furnishings used on tramways generally, although not specially mentioned herein. LIMITS OF SPEED. 23. The limits of speed at which any carriage may run 011 any particular rou'.e or 011 any part of a tramway other than a cable tramway shall, subject to the provisions hereinafter mentioned, be '.he limits provided for in the order authorising the construction and use of such tramway, but notwithstanding anything in any such order tho speed on any down grade shall not in any case be greater than tho following On a down grade steeper than level but not steeper than 1 in 20, rate per .hour— In suburban districts outside cities hrd boroughs, 18 miles; in main thoroughfares in cities and boroughs, 12 miles; 1 in 20—1 in 15,15-10 miles j 1 in 15—1 in 12, .10-6 miles; lin 12—1 in 8, 7-5 miles; 1 in B—l in 6-5, 3 miles. x

24. Subject to tho last preceding regulation, or rules otherwise provided in the order authorising the construction and use of a tramway, or unless the speed is otherwise limited by any permit authorising the tramway to be opened for traffic in pursuance of such order, no carriage on an electric or steam tramway shall or run at a greater speed than the following, namely:—.

Along streets of a width not exceeding 33ft, eight miles per hour; along streets of a width exceeding 33ft but not exceeding 4&jft, 12 miles per hour; along streets of a width exceeding 49gft, 18 miles per houri

In rounding easy angles on any road or street, whether in a borough or elsewhere, the speed shall not cxceed six miles [ >'r hour, and in turning the square corners of streets in boroughs the speed shall not exceed four miles per hour. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any order of license or in thcso regulations no carriage on any tramway shall be run on a street or road that is crowded with pedestrian, or other traffic at a speed greater than four miles per hour, or at such lesser speed as may under the circumstances be necessary for the safety of the public. 25. On cable tramways the speed shall not in any case exceed six miles per hour. Regulations 26 to 30 deal with the carreport book. The final regulation reads— 31. If any person to whom any part ct these regulations refer does any act or thing that is thereby prohibited to Le done or fails or neglects to do any act or thing that is thereby directed to be done, such act or thing so done or such failure or neglect to perform such act or thing shall respectively be deemed to bo a breach of the regulation to which it lias reference, and such person shall be liable to a fine not exceeding £20 for each breach as the court before whom the case is heard, shall in its discretion determine, but such fine shall not be imposed except by a magistrate, WELLINGTON ENGINEER'S REPORT. WHAT THE REGULATIONS MEAN. AN OUTLAY OF £75,000. LARGE INCREASE IN FARES. (PlB UttITKD PBESS ASSOCUTIOB ) WELLINGTON, July 13. Reporting on the proposed tramway regulations to the Tramways Committee of the Wellington City Council, Mr Stuart Richardson, tramways . engineer. . and manager, makes the following general observations " The restrictions proposed with regard to the carrying capacity' and speeds of cars imjpscs a meet serious disability in this city. All the world over it is recognised that the seating accommodation of cars at rush hours (although regular services are supplemented by extra cars at these times) is inadequate to meet the extraordinary demands by the public, who are anxious to reach their destinations with as little delay as possible. To reasonably cope witli the present traffic it would be necessary under the proposed regulations to run about 40 more care at the busy hours of the day. This will mean, with extra carshed accommodation and power-houso plant, an extra outlay of nearly £75,000, with an annual capital charge of about £7500. The average cost of operation per car is now £1100 per annum, so it would be fair to compute tho extra cost to the city, under the proposed regulations, at something over £40,000 per annum. "To meet this extra expenditure it seems to be that as tho present earning power could not be increased, it would be necessary to increase the fares by about 50 per cent., which would seriously affect tho general public. Taking the question of risk into consideration, under the conditions hitherto prevailing with regard to the tramway traffic in Wellington, the very small percentage of accidents that have occurred—considering that over 22 million passengers are carried annually—shows that the scrvico has been very safely run, and that cars and equipment have been kept up to a high state of efficiency. In my opinion there is no risk to speak of in allowing a reasonable amount of overloading, and if the public are to lie debarred from standing on the top decks of cars and on platforms whilst rush traffic is on they will be vory seriously delayed in getting to .business or to their homes. In the figures, quoted as the probable extra cost which will be thrust upon the city by these regulations, I have not taken into account any expenditure in alterations of existing rolling stock, which might be put down at some £5000. The whole of the foregoing expenditure is quite apart from the 16 new cars now in hand, or to be built next year, and required for tho natural growth of traffic. In conclusion, I would ask the council to make the most searching investigations into the merits of these proposed regulations, and take united action with other tramway authorities in the Dominion, with a view to the elimination or modficaton of such clauses as will seriously affect the working of the tramways in their present form." A HYDRA-HEADED MONSTER. (Fnou Odr Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, July 13. Mr Wilford, M.P., a. Government supporter, and Mayor of Wellington, writing from the private hospital where Ire has been in bed for some five weeks, condemns the regulations. He writes: " Spwildng generally, 1 rejoice in the text of the regulations, for their very absurdity will save tho situation. When I fought tire Tramway Bill in Parliament all through one long night last session, I told the House that the Minister was storing up for himself a heap of trouble, and that within 12 months the general public, the local authorities, and tho tramway employees themselves would be ready to rend him. You know how my protest was reoeived. Even under tho constitution of the Appeal 13oard some of the tramwaymen have cursed the act, and when they understand better the hydraheaded monster they have helped to rear they will sec that my protest for tho city and for them was n. just and proper one. I do not believe the Minister of Public Works has read those proposed regulations. I believe he may have indicated broadly his suggestions, while his department., which has never had am- practical expei ience whatever of tramway management, has framed the same from copies of other regulations elsewhere. It has sent- them along for the purpose of ot>. taining practical suggestions from practical men for practical regulations." A LABOUR MEMBER'S VIEWS. Mr D. M'Laren, M.P., tlie Wellington Labour member, says: " Tho regulation? as forecasted will greatly hamper tho ser-

vioe. They seem to be absolutely impossible, and no doubt they would occasion a big outcry." OTHER M.P.'S SPEAK. Mr Fisher, M.P., shows, by examples, the utterly ridiculous nature of tho reßu Intions as applied to Wellington. 110 points out that the conductors will liava to take a census between each stoppingplacc. Nevertheless, he thinks there is too much overcrowding in, the Wellington cars. . Mr Wright, M.l\, says lie hears complaints from all sides. He adds: "It is a scandal that a Minister of the Crown should be permitted to issue such regulations without members of Parliament having any. knowledge of what is proposed to be done. It is on a par with the many things which are done by the Governor-in-Council. and is a deliberate undermining a-rnl trifling with the powers of Parliament," He*thinks it wrong that such regulations should be issued as a confidential document. .AIR TAYLOR INTERVIEWED. A MORE FAVOURABLE VIEW. (Per United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, July 13. " I cannot conceive it possible,'' declared the Mayor (Mr Taylor, M.P.) today, when speaking to a reporter on the subject of the proposed new tramway regulations, " that tlie Government is going to prohibit any passenger from being carried in cars for whom seats cannot be provided. I was one of the additional members, with Mr Nosworthy, on the committee to consider the Tramways Bill last session, and throughout the whole of the inquiry the Minister gave the committee to understand that overloading would be permitted to a reasonable degree. I think that the alarm that is being expressed by the Mayor of Wellington will be found to be quite groundless. If overloading is to be allowed 60 long as it does not interfere with the conductors' duties, then it appears to me a very big margin is provided for, and the revenues of the tramway boards should not be seriously affected. I believe that in actual operation the n«v regulations will probably be found to work fairly well, and it seems to me the veriest nonsense for anyone to think the Government dares to manipulate the Tramways Act so a 6 to forcc tho municipalities to hand over their property to the general Government. Such a thing is not thinkable.'' Mr Taylor added that a copy of the suggested regulations had been sent to the City Council marked "confidential," and the council was now in correspondence with the Tramway . Board pn the matter, for the purpose of mutually ascertaining what would be the probable effect of the proposed regulations if actually in operation. Although, of course, the council had no control over the Tramway Board, it was probably a joint protest would be made, and correspondence would bo sent on to the Government by the council', as well as by the board. " The creation of a court of appeal in last year's bill," added Mr Taylor, " is just as unlikely to result in any practical injuryas the regulations that aro now alarming the city of Wellington.'' THIN END OF THE WEDGE. GOVERNMENT SEEKING FOR . CONTROL. fl?BOM Otlli OWN COHRESI'OIIDENT.) CHRISTCHURCH, July 13. The summary of the new tramway regulations published here yesterday .has been the subject of much discussion. The opinion is expressed that the regulations are the thin end of the wedge which is to push aside the present system of control with a view to the substitution of control by the Government. LAn old ex-member of the Tramway Board, Mr J. J. Dougall, remarked to a Press reporter to-day that when the tramways wero being constructed the board was constantly being hampered by the Government's officers. Timo after time work had to be delaved until ssome Government official had been brought to reason. The new regulations appeared to him to be impracticable. If the trams were not allowed to carry more than the regulation number of passengers the only alternative would bo a considerable increase in fares. Thero was no doubt that people were sometimes inconyoniienced through overcrowding, but they should .understand that the present farce could only be continued so long as overcrowding took place during the " rush " hours of the day. The trams must be run at a loss if they were only to be occupied according to their recorded capacity. The rolling stock would have to be nearly doubled if the board had to deal with the rush traffic so as to_ prevent overcrowding, and the financial return from the present fares would not meet expenses. The idea of forming queues at stopping places was too absurd to contemplate, and the suggestion that conductors should carry a subsidiary step 1 when the ordinary step was more than 14in from the ground was- equally absurd. So far as Christchurch was concerned, it was high time that the people evinced some desire to control the methods the Government had adopted recently to terminate all municipal and local authority. It was not only in the tramways, but in every walk of life, that the Government was trying to override the local authorities. A WORD FOR THE GOVERNMENT. PUBLIC SAFETY BEFORE DIVIDENDS. iFhom Oub Own Corbespohdext.) CHRISTCHURCH, July 13. Mr G. W. Russell, M.P., said that it was a rule and custom of the Government when issuing regulations to take the maximum of power for the protection of tho public. This power was one which would only be exercised when necessity arose, as was the case with many bylaws. Tho idea that • the Government wished to harass and worry the municipal tramway concerns was absurd. It must not be forgotten that there was in Auckland a privately-owned system of tramways, and information that had come out from time to time indicated that there was a greater regard in. that concern for dividends than for the comfort and security of the people. He had no doubt that whatever regulations were ultimately made and issued by tho Government they would be more for the protection of the

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Do not 1m satisfied with any imitation of Dom's Ilackaeho Kidnoy Pills: bo furo to ask distinctly for DOiVN'S. Theso pills aro sold by all chemists and storekeepers nt 2s por lxrttJc (six Ixittles 16s 6d), or will bo posted on receipt of price by FosterM'Olelkit Co., 76 Pitt street. Sydney. But* bo suro you get DOAK'S.

public against privately-owned ..concerns than they would be likely to interfere with the management of trams in general, 'i'lic fact that confidential copies had already been sent out to the tramway authorities was quite enough to indicate that the Government was seeking suggestions. AN OUTCRY AT INVERCARGILL. A STRONG PROTEST. (Peb Dnitkd Pbrss Association.) INVERCiARGILL, July 13. In connection with the protests from other centres in regard to tho tramways regulations, tho Mayor (Mr Ott) to-night, stated that the Invetrcargill Council strongly protested against the proposed regulations. The council felt very strongly that the control of - the trams should be in their own hands, seeing they: aro spending their own and not the Government money. The engineer had stated that no municipal tramway system in New Zealnd could possibly pay if the regulation affecting crush- hours was carried into cffect. Thero seems to be a general feeling amongst tho councillors that legislation by Government regulation is strongly to be deprecated. The tramway engineer was appointed to attend tho Tramway Conference at Wellington to discuss tho position. MEETING-OF INTERESTED BODIES. DELEGATES TO BE SENT TO WELLINGTON. A mooting of representatives of the Duncdin City Council, the Mornington Council (controlling the Mornington Tramways), the Kaikorai Tramway Company, and the Roslyn Tramway Company, was held at the Town Hall yesterday afternoon. Messrs J. F. Arnold and G. M. Thomson, M.P.'s, were also present. The proposed regulations woiv considered at length, and the consensus of opinion was that combined action should be taken by all interested bodies in the Dominion to resist the bringing into operation, of tho provisions suggested by tho Public' Works Department. A request camo before the meeting from the Wellington Council that delegates should be sent from Dunedin to Wellington to attend a conferecne to bo held there) for tho purpow of making united opposition to tie regulations. It was agreed that each of the four bodie3 represented at the meeting should send its representatives to this conference. Tho following telegram was received yesterday afternoon from ' the Hon. R. M'Konzie by tho representatives of tho cabe tramway Systems in reply to a message forwarded to tho Minister on the previous day:—"Please forward me statement of all your objections to proposed tramway regulations, so that I may consider them first, as they aro only draft proposed regulations now before,me." . THE HILL TRAMWAYS. A representative of. one of tho cablo tramway systems, speaking to a Daily Times reporter yesterday, had no hesitation in expressing tho opinion that the proposed new regulations, if brought into operation, would have an even mere disastrous effect on the hill tramways than on tho City Tramways. The regulations contained many provisions whioh would prove a hindrance to the profitable and smooth working of tho oablo tramways, but there wero two points which were causing them special concern. The first was the. regulation prohibiting the' carrying of more pasengers than there ■ was seating accommodation for. This would have the'effect of reducing tho existing carrying oapacity of the oat's to an extent of 75 per cent, at crush hours. The record point was'tho regulation restricting the general speed' to six miles an hour. At present tho cablo ■ cars aro premitted to traved up to eight miles an Hour. This would, havo_ the effect of decreasing the carrying capacity of the cars to the extent of 25 per cent. The effect of these .two regulations would, be to soriously decreaso the revenue. A third provision to which strong objection ; was taken was in respect of the stationing of officials at the various loading points to regulate tho traffic. This would add seriously to the expenditure, and this, ooupled with the reduction in revenue that would follow upon 'the bringing into operation of the othor provisions, would plaoo the companies or authorities running tho cable cars in the position of having to increase the fares, in order that the cars should not be run at a loss. No other course would bo open to thorn. .. '