The Daily News. FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 1916. THE TRAMWAYS' OPENING.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 June 1916, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 1916. THE TRAMWAYS' OPENING.

"he trams ha\e been running for some weeks now, bi;t it was cnly a few days ago that the full service was in commission, which fact explaivs the somewhat belated official opening that took place yesterday afternoon. Hie speeches delivered by the Mayor and others at the ceremony had a confident ring as to the future of the trams and the part they would take in the development of the town. The service J.as cost a good deal more than was originally estimated —public work* have a habit of exceeding estimates- and it has entailed heavy expenditure in other directions, firstly in widening tne road, and re-channelling and kerbing; secondly, in regrading and practically remaking the roadway, and .hen tar-sealing the surface. Additional expenditure has also been incurred at the waterworks and electrical works to supply ihe current for the tramfe, But all these are assets, and should in time, be profit earning, while the tram route roadway, properly cared for, should repay the interest on ifs cost by the saving effected in maintenance, to say nothing of the convenience of a dustless road. His Worship the Mayor showed that the trams would not pay for the next year or so. No one expects that. If they pay in three years every ratepayer should be satisfied. They are now earning about £l4O a week, which is £(10 below the £2OO necessary to cover expenses, but against this there is about £35. charges for current payable to the Electric Lighting Department. This is tlie worst time of the year for fc'ams, and the average takings should considerably rise in the sum. mer, especially at holiday times. The freezing works at Waiwakaiho and the opening of the harbor to overseas shipping, together with the establishment of ironsand works at Moturoa before the end of the present year must also tend to increase tram traffic, and it requires no great foresight to see that it will not be long before the system is on a paying footinsr. But if it is not, there are compensating advantages, as was pointed out by severa! speakers at yesterday's funct'on. T>am. facilities induce population, and increased popution means increased prosperity. The suburbs are brought into closer touch with the town, and, greater than anything, trams give life to a town. Already there is a better tone in the phoe, probably due to the installation of the trams. Outsiders are manifesting an interest in the town's affairs, and townsmen themselves are exhibiting greater faith and conridence in New Plymouth. And apart from the trams, they have every reason to, fw *ew places are better situated or have brighter prospects. The gratifying feature is that these prospects are on the verge of realisation, and the trams are assisting in this direction. We congratulate the Mayor and Councillors and their immediate predecessors, upon thfe success of their efforts in installing such an up-to-date and complete system, and ratepayers upon its possession, and trust that the sanguine hopo« entertained for the service will be fully realised.