THE TRAMWAYS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7891, 22 December 1903, Page 3

THE TRAMWAYS.

THE NEW SfiEDS ANi> OFFICES. The car-shed*, 'oinc^ and 1 repair-shops of the electric trams, when completed, . will make a large and substantial building, and they will be fitted up with many modern devices for carrying on the municipal en<terprise upon which Greater Christchurch has decided to enter. The whole of the building will hay© a frontage to Falsgrave Street, of 160 ft, and a depth of 177 ft, The frontage will be occupied by the offices, and they will extend back to a depth of 29ft, the' big car-shed btvng behind them. Tie offices will be entered from the main hall-way. A special feature of the front ftuilding is th© ar- | rangvvnents for receiving conductors' or guardtY returns. There are also the usual offices', such, as the secretary's room, the board-ro.vm, the engineer's office, traffic manager V office, an apartment set asido as the employees' reading -room^.atyd a robin for the mo^-or-nteii's or driver?'^ lwjket*. The principal liart of the building is allotted to the ivir-U'ackßj with, shed-room accohtmddation i\t fifty bars. There will be pit tracks, so t.VAt ah efficient examinatfoni may be made tinker each cay. Oh' one sidte of the building tVere are the oil and jreiierai stores. Tho general repairing sliop consists of a smitto-'s shop } machma-ghop, and armature roon.\, taking up a 'space. 145 ft by 28ft. In the general store special arrangements have been made for gAying out all stores. The machine-shop has bt\sn arranged so that parts can be handled an\l repaired by the overhead trolly, and thertS is a special baking oven for drying out tl\e insulated electrical parts of the equipment. Provision is made in the; car pits for examination jby night with electrical plug-bo\ces. One of the most notable labour-saving* devices ds a; hydraulic lift which will easily remove all the heavy driving apparatus o.f the car. There is also a Special afrangetncVat fdr removing wheels from care for roturni or grinding purposes. The main entrance to this building is approached by a single track, which deviates off into ten entrance tracks. The water supply will be obtained from a three-inch well, and there will* be a tank stand arid pumping house, with. A fire hydrant and suitable appliances in east of emergency. The genfernl lighting lay-6ult is principally electric, but both electricity and gas are provided for in the main offices. Ti\e main yard will be lighted by means of arc lamps. There will be a stable for three horses and emergency waggons, which are specially made for the overhead trolly construction. Tile doors of the stables Ifrill be designed so that the movements of the emergency cnew will be facilitated to the utmost, as in the case of the fire brigades. Tenders for the construction will close on January 14.