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Otago Witness, Issue 3672, 29 July 1924, Page 23

Regarding overcrowded cars, Mr F. Thompson, manager of the Christchurch tramways, remarked during a lecture hast week that the Tramways Board sold rides, not seats. Public criticism was a healthy thing, and the Tramway Board was subjected to a good deal of it. One reason why the board received more criticism than any other city body was because it came in closer contact with the public than any other body. Those who criticised high car fares did not know what it cost to mil a tram service. About 20 years ago Die drivers of the old horse cars earned £9 a month, and they worked at all hours of the day. Now motormen earned £2O c. month, and they had set hours. The cost of construction of the cars driven by the men 20 years ago was £250, whereas the ears driven l>y the motormen to-day cost £4500 to build. The hoard employed 562 persons. A well-known Maria wafu pig breeder who has just been spending a few days in Wellington, states tl.rafc in the last year he doubled his stock of pigs, with the result that the satisfactory prices for pork during the year have given him a handsome return. His operations in future will be on a still larger scale.