NORTH BEACH TRAMWAY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 203, 1 October 1914, Page 5

NORTH BEACH TRAMWAY.

THE ELECTRIC SERVICE. OPENING CELEBRATION. Two cars, each with another car in tow, and one of the old "coffee pots" now relegated to "holiday service only" also hauling its trailers, left the Square at about 2.40 yesterday afternoon crowded with people whose destination was North New Brighton. It was a special occasion, and so the cars flew flags and carried a band. Even the old steam tram flaunted optimistic legends, such as "There's Life in the Old Dog Yet," "Old Friends Are Best," and "The Scrap-heap —Not Yet." But as far as the North Beach line is concerned the "coffee pots" are out of the running, for yesterday was the official opening day of the electric service from Burwood to New Brighton, and a large number of people, residents of New Brighton and city residents, went out on the cars to celebrate the event. At the end of the old Burwood terminus of the electrified section the passengers alighted to witness the passing of the first electric car over the track. Mr Gilbert Burns, president of the North Brighton Burgesses' Association, made an address in which he gave a history of the North Brighton tramline and eulogised the services of Mr J. A. Flesher in keeping the line open and at last having it electrified. He then presented Mrs 1 Flesher with a miniature starting handle, such as is used on the cars, and Mrs Flesher ; drove the first electric car through its barrier of redj, white, and blue ribbons. THE TOASTS.

After this ceremony the party- reembarked on the cars and went on to New Brighton pier, then returned to the pavilion of the New Brighton Trotting Club, where afternoon tea was served and several toasts were honoured. The toast of "The King" was proposed by Mr G. W. Russell, M.P., who, after referring to the King in connection with the international war, went on to speak of the excellence of the Christchurch tramway service, which was, he said, not only the best in New Zealand, but the best in Australasia. He referred to the domain of local politics, "saying that those concerned in the administration of local affairs did most of the real work of the country, and that the people of Christchurch were exceptionally fortunate in having* such capable directors of its tramways as the members of the Tramway Board. He also apologised for the absence of the Mayor of Christchurch and Or Burgovne, who were unable-to be present. The toast of "The Tramway Board" was proposed by the Deputy-Mayor, Mr Sorensen, who referred to the development of the tramway service from the time when there was only flax and sand at North Beach and the coach made two trips a day into town, and to the inauguration of the first tram service from Stanmofe Road to the Clock Tower —a service commenced by a company, but taken over and run by the contractor, Mr John Brightling. PROGRESS. Mr J. A. Flesher, in response to the toast, also gave details of the early history of the first tramway and statistics of the subsequent development. It was 22 years ago that the first Order-in-Council authorised the laying down of the first line connecting Burwood with the city, and since the time when that line was built and conducted by Mr Brightling great developments had taken place. It was some nine years since he had first taken a hand in advocating the claims of the New Brighton district, and he had fought for them always. When the Tramway Board was formed it was proposed to discontinue the running of the New Brighton vice, on the grounds that it would not pay, but he had succeeded in having it continued, until now it was a profitable line and of great benefit to the citizens of Christchurcr. When the North-Beach-Burwood line was taken over from the owner the board" had paid £BOOO for it, and it was suggested that it should ndt be worked, but recognising the injustice such an action would be to New Brighton residents, he had agitated for its retention and had succeeded. Now the lines were worth £50,000 to the Board. The Tramway Board has made good progress from its inception, and now there was £650,000 sunk in its rolling stock and equipment, and in the completion of the electrification of the North Beach line he saw the fruition of all liopes he had entertained when advocating the claims of New Brighton. THE CITY'S BENEFIT.

The next toast was that of Mr? W. Reece as "The Father of the Christchurch Tramway System." proposed by Mr A. E. Craddock, and Mr Eeece, who was received with applause on rising to respond, made a brief and effective speech, in which he said that while he had always held it best that the tramway service should be a municipal undertaking, the multiplicity of local bodies affected made such a course difficult at the time of the inception of the scheme, and it was decided that the formation of a board was the best way of getting over the difficulties presented. He was first chairman of that board which took over the control of the North Beach line from Mr Bfighiling, and he also recognised that it would be an injustice if the residents of North Brighton district were deprived of their service, and realised that some sort of system had to be maintained from Burwood to North New Brighton. The lines had been costly, but they had proved a success —without them New Brighton would never have become the popular seaside resort it is. It was necessary for the city to have such a resort, and were it for no other reason than that they gave the citizens of Christchurch easy access to the seaside the lines were a profitable investment. WORK AND CRITICISM. "Success to the New Service" was proposed by Mr Herbert Pearce and responded to by Mr F. Thompson, general manager of tramways, who thanked the promoters of the celebration and the board for the compliment they had paid the tramway staff in inviting a member to be present, for he accepted on behalf of all the staff the compliment that had been paid the service, since] all were concerned in its successful J working. He concluded his remarks by saying that the tramway management' was subjected to a good deal of criticism as a rule, and he wanted to disarm criticism of the new time-table for North New Brighton cars, which would not be quite so frequent now that the electrification had been completed. Some economy had to be made to balance the expenditure, and it had to be made on a reduction of working expenses. People who complained of the service not being quick enough must also remember, he said, not to expect too much of a single track, which necessarily did not permit of the same expeditious handling of traffic as a double track. The toast-liat was concluded with. Mr

J. H. Coates proposing the toast of "Former Tramway Services," to which' Messrs John Brightling, R. M. Macdohald, and George Mclntyre responded, and the. celebration was brought to an end with a presentation made to Mr J. H. Coates by Mr Thompson, Mr Coates being presented with a travelling bag in recognition of the work he had done for the progress of the New Brighton district.