THE ELECTRIC TRAMWAYS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2649, 21 December 1904, Page 40

THE ELECTRIC TRAMWAYS.

THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE OFFICIAL OPENING. I Twelve months expired on Thursday since } ' the official opening of the corporation-elec-tric tramway system, and th© time is thus opportune for reviewing the results of the- - 'operation of the f system. The first portion of the track that was made available for traffic— the Castle street and Normanbyline — was not, however, opened until th© 24th of December last. The service was extended on January 6 to include the section from Howe street to Albany street, and a further • extension from Albany street to Frederick, street was opened six days later. On the 15th of February last the George street and Princes street traok to the Post Office was opened, and the final section that has been operated so far— that from th© Post Office to Maitland 6treet — was opened on March 25. We are indebted to Messrs Noyes Bros, for the following interesting particu- ' larg with respect to th© operation of th© service to date : — Number of passengers carried^ .. 6,529,821 i Revenue -collected £28,824 8 6, Mileage '. .. 543,556 Wheels replaced 4 Person killed 1 Serious accidents .. .. .. ..4 ~Coal cci: sumption (about) .. „. 4,800 tons ' Units generated (nearly) .." .. 700,000 ! It may finally be mentioned as a proof of the value of the service that has been pro-_ vided that- there, have been no derailments of cars and no hitch in the running or supply "of power except on one'ocasion, ; when th© power .was shut off by accident 1 for 12 minutes.

A serious- agitation has been initiated in China against the ' wearing of queues, and ' many advanced Chinese are sacrificing their pig-tails. Sprue time ago the- movement to do away; with foot binding. among Chinese .women- met "with surprising success. Now sthe question of men , wearing their hair naturally is "being earnestly discussed. Chinese historians are .discovering that shaving tho head was originally the badge of a conquered "people. x , The 190 walking-sticks of the bankrupt j Marquis of Anglesey changed hands at th© sale for £1000. Very gorgeous, very curious and quaint, were the majority of them. On© was gold-mounted, and adorned with diamonds, ' emeralds, pearls, and other stones. A Glasgow dealer got it for £56. Two other diamond-studded specimens went for £46 and £34 respectively. A stick that, besides glowing with diamonds, bore a . watch, was disposed of for £25. Sticks with : carved heads of animals 'and birds, with I secret ' springs that made the heads move, and with electric batteries, found ready ) buyers. A jewelled umbrella realised £25. | A magnificent lot was a gold afternoon tea service set with diamonds, turquoises, gar- | nets, and other stones, the six- pieces weighi ing 18oz. The service} which 'resembled a • dolls-house collection, brought £82. The sword presented to the Marquis by the Royal Welsh Fusiliers when he came of j age went- to ■ a dealer for 10 guineas. j