THE TRAMWAYS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16796, 21 July 1920, Page 3

THE TRAMWAYS.

PROPOSED EXTENSIONS,

DEPUTATION FROM WESTOWN RATEPAYERS.

A deputation from the "Westown Progressive Association waited on the Borough Council on Tuesday evening with reference to tramway extensions and urged this council to hurry proceedings aa much as possible so that the present system might bo extended without unnecessary delay. The Mayor at tho outset intimated that there had been no delay on the part of the council beyond getting the plans, and these were not yet available! The council had.not been holding the matter up because of any proposal relative to railless trams. When tho plans were ready, probably by next Monday, then the council would bo in a position to discuss the matter. Mr. J. D. Sole said the deputation desired tho council to give effect to its resolution passed in October last. It was not proposed, to discuss tho merits or otherwise of any system. They thought there was only one and earnestly asked the council to loso.no timo in allowing the ratepayers to vote on this question of tramway extension. He pointed out that at a conservative estimate tho population of Westown from tho top of Barrett Street to Wallath Road was 1200. The revenue from the bus was about £6O tor the Westown jjouto alone, equal to about £7OO a year, but tho bus was totally inadequate to meet the requirements of the district.

The Mayor: I quite agree with you on that point. Continuing, Mr. Sole said that each person living in the district would travel twice a week, so that the revenue from the residents alone would work out in the vicinity of £2OOO per annum. This, too, was a conservative estimate. Then they had to allow for the large number of visitors who went out to see the nurseries. Mr. Sole said it was expected that great difficulty would bo experienced in raising money in the near future, so that, if by delaying the matter until such time as there was a reduction in the cost of the extension, the difference would be more than lost by. the increase in the rate of interest that would have to be paid for the loan. Mr. Solo handed in to the council a largely signed petition in support of the deputation's request. Mr. A. I/. Humphries said the residents of Westown were a progressive people, hence their desire to have the present tram system ’ extended. He referred to the large number of people who visited the hospital, most of whom would no doubt use the trams. Then there "was the Western Park, in connection with which an extensive scheme of improvements was being drawn up. This, too, would attract many visitors and in addition there was the Western Park football ground, which would also bo the means of earning a large amount of revenue for trams. Regarding railloss trams and a paragraph which had appeared in the Herald that night, ho said he had spent some time in Glasgow and all the time ho was there he had never seen a railloss' tram, so that they must be used in the outlying portions of tho town. The Mayor: I believe that wherever railless trams have been installed they are in tho outlying districts. Tho Mayor, continuing, referred to the tremendous increase in tho cost of tramway installations and said the engineer (Mr. Bartley) had absolutely condemned tho proposed extension by rail tram. Mr. Bartley had, however, himself gone into the question of railless trams to see if a satisfactory service could be given at a less cost." Tho cost of tramway installations in 1914 was £4OOO per milo, to-day it was £13,000 to *£14,000. Did tho deputation think the ratepayers would carry the necessary loan? Mr. Sole said he did.not think there was any doubt about it. Apart altogether from Westown residents, ho had spoken to many ratepayers in other parts of tho town and - they favoured tho proposed extension. The Mayor said tho council had not merely to consider extensions to Westown. Vogoltown also’had to bo considered and a railiess service could be provided to tho two suburbs for a little over £20,000. However, the council was not delaying the matter to inquire into the railless system, but was making these inquiries while other preliminary work was going on, so that they would have all the information possible. ~ \ The general manager dealt with matters from the financial aspect and said the railloss system was calculated, to give a, satisfactory, service at a very much lower cost than the present trams.

Eventually -it was agreed that the deputation should appoint an executive to go into matters, more particularly with regard to finance, wif.fi the council.

TRACKLESS TROLLEY SYSTEM,

ALTERNATIVE ROUTES,

REPORT FROM ENGINEER,

Mr. R. H. Bartley, tramways engineer and manager, submitted the following report to the borough council for consideration;—

Before dealing with tho above subject it will perhaps bo advisable to outline briefly tho working of the trackless trolley system, together with the part it should play in the light" of the present and future developments, also its relations to our present tramway system and future extensions to same.

The trackless trolley system has been designed with tho object of obtaining all tho advantages of a modern electric tramway system, with the exception of those represented by use of steel rails and tyres, etc. This advantage is admitted as a very substantial one; and represents a very large portion of tho capital invested in a tramway undertaking; consequently it has an equally important bearing on the financial operation of snob an undertaking. This is particularly so where a tramway is operated in a sparsely populated district, and where the overhead or capital charges become a burden, on account of tho limited amount of revenue earned It is to meet such cases as this that the trackless "trolley system has been designed. The power used for operating tho cars is electricity, and is taken from trolley wires erected overhead in precisely tho same n aimer aour tramways. In the absence of the rails (which on the tramways act as one conductor) a minimum of two trolley wires are necessary and likewise two trolley poles on the trackless vehicles for collecting the power from these trolley wires. The vehicles are also arranged that they can be operated over the tramway track, using only one trolley pole on the tramway wire, and picking up the negative current oy means of a skate or shoe, which travels along the rails. The object of this is mainly that the cars can bo

housed, repaired and operated generally from the existing car sheds, repair depots, etc., and really become part of the tramway system. The bodies aro constructed on tramcar lines, whilst the chassis, or trucks, are designed carefully for even distribution of weight and easy springing. Tho trolley poles and heads aro almost identical with those used in tramcar practice, but the base is special to allow the car to travel approximately sixteen feet on either side of the trolley wires, and in doing r;o to avoid undue side prefigure on tho overhead gear. The tyres used are mostly solid rubber, and represent the most costly portion of the system maintenance. Other maintenance items can be' taken as equal, if not under, ordinary tramcar p>ractjfe, whilst the power cost per mile will be considerably reduced owing to lighter weights, etc. The total weight .of a SO passenger, vehicle is approximately three tons unloaded .and 01 tons loaded with 30 passengers. The question of the wear and tear of tho roads will be an important one and I give hero the statements made in this inspect by some of the users of the ’ trackless trolley vehicle., Tho question put was: — “Is there excessive wear and tear on the roadway, due to the rnuning of the trackless vehicle?”

Mr. Spencer, general manager, Bradford City tramways, replied:—“Not more than with other_ motor vehicles of similar size and weight. Mr. J. H. Hamilton, general manager, Leeds City tramway, replied;— “No, quite the contrary.” Mr. W. Blyth Martin, town clerk, Dundee City, replies to the question;— “No.” In taking what 1 terra to he tho average of these replies, and from msknowledge of road traffic 1 would-say “Not more than with other motor vehicles of similar capacity and speed—more likely to he less on account of the electric motor drive.” _ ROUTES.

In selecting tho rouffs for either a 1 tramway or bus service, the chief points of consideration are given under, and those in turn must be carefully weighed one against the other in order that’ a true selection can be made :—-

1. The shortest distance' to a destination, compatible with tho population served cn route. 2. In considering' this feature due regard must bo give’n to the possible future developments on the routes, due to tho transport system, and also the natural growth of the district served. _ 3. The existence oft engineering difficulties such as steep gradients, bridges, etc., and the cost of overcoming same, together' with any possible increased working expenses and maintenance. 4. If possible for the route to serve public institutions, parks, etc. 5. That tho installing of the system shall interfere as little as possible with existing structures, such as telephone and telegraph, electric power supply lines, etc. 6. Moans of connecting with existing transport system. There are many other minor points for consideration, but the foregoing;are, I think, tho most important ones. WESTOWN ROUTE. VIA MOBLEY ST., VIA STANDISH HILL. There is no doubt in my mind that via Standish Hill to Westown leads under the conditions called for in clause No. 1. Under Clauses Nos. 2,3, and's, both routes appear to bo equal. Under Clause No. 4, via Morlcy Street, appears to have tho advantage. Clause No 6 calls for consideration in the connecting with other transport systems, and as the trackless system is being considered with a view to replacing tramways, on account of tho high cost of installation, and that it would bo the intention,when tramway installation becomes cheaper, to replace tho trackless system with tramways, then credit must be given to the Morley Street route on this account.

It thus appears that the Morley Street route has the advantage, and I must admit that this is _ contrary to my first impression, which was the reverse, and which has been influenced by tho fact that the Morley Street section is already constructed.

VOGELTOWN ROUTE,

Linrdet Street has_ advantage under Clauses No. 1 and No. 2, and I think also under No. 3, providing that tho section of Pendarves Street, between Liardet Street and Carrington Road, can be widened slightly, in order to increase the radius of the* curve leading into the Carrington Eoad.' Under Clause No. 4 Liardet Street has the advantage again. In . the • remaining clauses the routes appear to be equal, and I therefore favour the Liardet Street route to Vogcltown, providing the difficulty re Pendarves Street can jbo overcome. I would suggest that in each of the routes (Westown and Vogeltown) they should start from the Government Railway Station via Egmont Street and Devon Street.

In view of the complaints made in some quarters that soldiers are being put. oil too expensive land, it is of interest to note that Mr. 'Guthrie (Minister of Lands) stated in tho House that the average capital value of the land acquired for settlement is £l2 3s; the average capital value per holding is £2443; while tho average, holding is 202 acres.

A general meeting of the Kawaroa Park committee was hold on Thursday last, Mr. V. H. Beal, president, being in the chair, and some important and interesting business was transacted. Correspondence on different matters was ■ received, and accounts to the amount of £65 17s Id were pass'ed for payment. The president reported that owing to the cement shortage some of the proposed work at the bungalow would require to stand over, but there were other improvements which were being gone on with such ns the clearing of the grounds. Further considerable improvements at the park were suggested, and a sub-committee was formed to go into tho subject of having a ladies’ croquet lawn available for tho coming summer. Tho president or Mr. T. Petty was requested to make inquiries in Auckland by personal visit, and if possible obtain for tho park similar swings and slides for children such as are at Mycr’s Park and Victoria Park. Every endeavour will be made to have those ready for the Christmas holidays. Tho following new members were unanimously elected; Messrs. A. Hooker, W. Hooker 11. Matheson, and J. Begg. i >■

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