TRAMWAY BOARD WANTS MORE SPEED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18575, 25 September 1928, Page 12

TRAMWAY BOARD WANTS MORE SPEED.

TRAFFIC OFFICERS ASKED FOR CO-OPERATION. “In what way has our traffic inspector got control of the trams?” asked Councillor Malcolmson at the meeting of the Riccarton Borough Council last night, when a letter was received from the Tramway Board asking that tram? be not unduly delayed at street intersections. The Mayor (Mr H. Manhire); What would happen at the Bank of New Zealand Corner if the trams took no notice of the inspector? Councillor Malcolmson said that the letter really meant that the Riccarton inspector was not to . hold up trams. The speaker moved that a reply be sent that the council had given instructions to that effect lo its inspector. The letter stated that the board was somewhat concerned at the drop in traffic, due primarily, it was considered, to the great increase in the use of the private motor-car. It was noticed, however, that during Grand National Week, the railway traffic showed an increase on the previous year, while the tram traffic —despite a reduction in fares—showed a slight decrease. Possibly the shorter time occupied on the ; ourney by the railway service was one ’actor. The board was considering two or three questions concerning an increase in popularity, and one of them was greater speed. The board appreciated the good work of traffic officers in the city and suburbs, but would like to have even greater assistance in the future, if that were possible. While the board’s solicitor advised that the Tramway Act relieved tramway motormen from the general obligation of carrying out directions by street traffic officers, the board recognised that it had not a monopoly of the use of the road and that other forms of traffic had to be considered. It wished, however, to point out that delay to a tram at a street intersection imposed inconvenit- e on forty or fifty people, whereas a delay to a motor-car affected only four or five. Moreover, because of the greater street space occupied by each tram, greater good was secured by keeping trams moving as much as possible. The letter concluded by expressing the board’s desire to co-operate with the council to the fullest possible extent, and the hope that suitable directions would be issued by the council to its traffic officers to expedite the movement of tramcars at street intersections.