WANGANUI TRAMWAYS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXVI, Issue 17553, 24 April 1919, Page 2

WANGANUI TRAMWAYS.

TENTH ANNUAL REPORT,

MORE EXTENSIONS URGED

The following tenth annual report was presented to the Borough Council last night by the Tramways Engineer and Manager (Mr. F. P. Talboys). The past year breaks a line of years showing ever increasing surpluses, by exhibiting a deficit of £917, 3s 9d. The real deficit, however, is only £271 9s 7fl. as a sum of £645 11s 2d was taken out of revenue to pay for items of capital expenditure, namely, the construction of the Glasgow Street duplication, and the purchase of a motor tower waggon. The deficit, though unpleasant, is not discouraging, in so much as ,\t arose from the curtailment of the services and consequent loas of revenue owing to a serious accident to our power plant, and to the closely following; influenza, epidemic, circumstances that may reasonably he considered unlikely to recur.

I* estimate the loss due to tho epidemic and breakdown at the power house to be in the vicinity of £1500. This estimate is based on the previous year's workings for the samo period. It should be noticed tbnt +he revenue during Hie other parts of the year shows n. general upward trend. As in all other concerns, warres have recently hnd to be considerably inp-mi,«ffd. Th.c tvcw agreement between the Council and the Tramway Union came into operation on Boxing Day, and there is therefore a full qunr>er of the year under review during which the higher wages had to be paid. The curtailment of race-meetings also has undoubtedly played a cart in reducing tha revenue. Altogether, considering the increased cost of materials and the adverse .■.cirfcumst-anoe-s under which the war has compelled tho system to be run T I think it will generally be conceded that Hie result of the year's working is very satisfactory. Owing to the breakdown of the power plant and during the epidemic, \t was found necessary to introduce temporary timetables giving a limited service. When certain emergency repairs had been effected to the engine, this service was increased and on the n-ant being restored to its former capacity, a now time-table was introduced,' giving a nine car double shift service. This schedule came into force on 17th February, and apipears to be giving satisfaction, but the shortage of rolling stock and necessary power compels running a service more modest than the tramp offering would justify. . During the year, ths loop in the Avenue near St. John's was. linked up with that in Glasgow Street, enabling a more efficient service to be run over this section. The balloon loop at Castlecliff has not yet been formed, and if the service to the seaside suburb is to be kewt up to standard warranted by the conditions, this loop will require to be put in without-further delay. In previous ieports I have commented on the necessity of looking ahead in the matter of dealing efficiently with 'increased traffic, j and towards this end I have advocated the construction as soon as material is available of loop lines between Ridgwav Street and the Avenue, via St. Hill Street and Maria Pl'nce, and the aforementioned balloon loop at Castlecliff. _ As'hostilities have now ceased and it i«s to be hoped more normal conditions will soon be restored, -I would again emphasise these points. Under the new conditions, it will be essential that the service be run on the most efficient basis, as all the t'-nffio'thnt enn be secured will he required to meet the. increased cost of operation, and the charges on new lon us contemplated.

1 "During tbf> first half of the year, ronRideraufeT difficulty, was exnerienred in keeping +ho staff nn to full ftrength, (W- ---- to .tho prevail inv conditions, hot with the sionirip: nf the armistice pwl consequent demobilisation, tlie position has nonr pn'efitlv improved. I have nrevio-uslv .■ adv-orater! tho setting; up of some srh^me of sumc^nnnuation or retiring allowance, nnd I fa«*l <?i7re that the system frenerally, ynnld bßnefib if such a scheme were introc!nc«l. ?s h would <*o a. lonw wav towav<l<; rctnininp' trr^'l v^f.n. T +I'"refore. {i.<7.n\n. commend this to yoti for yjaur con^iderat';on. " •

Tho conditions imrfer wl#e^ tire pCTvof plant is operating caTinot yn^r siny r-ir-cnni'tnn^^si li«? temiwl '■"t'^fnctorv. By careful attention the nlont, •hasintivfnii*ly well, but unfortunately ', my anticipation in previous reports thi* a serious breakdown might ooc«r at any time has proved to have been well founded, as a breakdown of a serious nature occurred to the main engine at the end of September last, with the consequent loss of revenue already referred to. The damage has now been satisfactorily repaired, and I trust the plant will not give further trouble, but the matter of installing additional plant must be expedited in every possible y ay, as, with the return to normal conditions, the demands made on the power pljint trill greatly increase. The overhead construction is in fairly good condition. Some breakages to the trolly wire have occurred, and in places the wire is thin, but a shipment of trolly wire has now come to hand, and these portions will be renewed as conditions permit. The acquisition during the year of an up-to-date motor, tower waggon has considerably facilitated the repairs to the overhead, and this modern appliance should be even more useful during the coming year now that the material is to hand. In the matter of public safety, it is of considerable importance that the overhead gang should get to the scene of an accident with the least possible delay, and this also reduces the time of any probable hold up of the service.

The cars, generally speaking, are in good order. The previous -time-table did not allow of much time for the renovation of the cars, as it vrv.s impossible to keep any one car in the shed for any extended period, but under the ne-vv Glasgow Street time-table, this disability has been removed, and I am hopef nl of being able to have most of the cars renovated and painted during the coming winter months.

The trade on the whole can be considered in very fair condition. Considerable work has been done in connection with tho draining and building up of the foundation of the track in several places. The line has been duplicated in Glasgow Street »nd clinker from our own gas plant has been used as a foundation with good results, and if used in future extension, should effect a considerable saying in cost. Tho track on Dublin St. Bridge has been levelled and a portion bolted down to tho iron work of the bridge. During this operation, it w.ns found that in some places the rails had penetrated the concrete to a depth of ono inch. These places were accordingly levelled

up and packed with fresh concrete. i J.n some quarters, I xinderstand that an increase in tramway fares is being advocated to meet the deficit from unprofitable extensions, and to counteract the increased running costs arising from higher wages of employees and the increased price of materials required for repairs and maintenance. It may reasonably be contended thaat a tramways system should not be judged entirely like an independent commercial concern. A cheap and convenient tram service is n> valuable asset to n community, furthering business and rendering the town more attractive to holiday makers and as a.place oi" residence. In any case, an increase in fares might not result in increased revenue per car mile, while the tendenc-v of cheap fares is undoubtedly to popularise tram travelling. It is possible, however, that judicious cdnces- | sions to regular travellers, especially ! long distance ones, wouid be eventually j profitable, though these are difficult to j arrange where there is dual control. During the period of the war and. owing to war conditions, the development of our system has been practically at a standstill. Plant and material on order for years have been unprocurable at any price, despite repeated efforts to obtain delivery. The need for progress on the other hand, constantly bcomes more urgent through the rapid growth of the town and suburban areas. Now that there is a prospect of obtaining our requirements, in plant and material, it is desirable, in fact essential, that our long deferred programme of development should be pushed to accomplishment as soon as prudently possible. With this end in view and to meet the changed circumstances, I intend shortly to bring down a report and estimates on the following contemplated improvements : (1) Extension to the cemetery, (2) extension to St. John's Hill, (3) additions to the car shed, (4) new cars and improvements. An extension to Mosstcwn ought al&p to be considered in the future. In this connection, the bridge across the railway in Glasgow St. extension, included in the schedule of one of the loan proposals, should be so constructed fas to be available for tramways when these are required for the Moss-town district. The provision of an efficient supply of electric current lor light and power has exercised your attention over a consider- ■ able period. A progressive policy in this direction is obviously needed to biing our town, the fifth in the Dominion, up-to-date. Indeed, we have been passed in this matter by some much less important communities; Early, in 1912 I submitted a scheme for electric light and power in connection with a proposal for a destructor. On the 28th April, 1915, the ( ratepayers adopted a loan proposal to provide funds for installing a plant to provide both light and power. Owing to the war, however, nothing could be done, but this important public improvement ought to be given effect to f.s speedily as possible, now that the war is over. The scheme proposed in 1915 provided .only for the reticulation of the central portion of the town. This, I think, should be reconsidered and a more comprehensive scheme, including the Borough and suburbs should be adopted. The new and larger scheme like the other should be so de-signed as to work in with the hyrdo-electric scheme of the Government. I. intend as early as possible to report on the whole subject, but before doing so I <Je r sire you to sanction my calling in nn outside expert to consult with, my reaF.on being the great advantage of obtaining the benefit of the direct experience

of an expert engaged in running an in-

stallation similar to what will be Required here, thereby obviating the mistakes made alsewhere and securing the maximum efficiency at a minimum cost. It is unfortunate that a difficulty has arisen which threatens to delay the delivery of the additional power plant. Negotiations on this matter are, of course, going on, and it is needless for me "io discuss iho matter, beyond reiterating my opinion that the plant is so urgently needed atu-soCkdh -p,wheahol dthawf ly required that every possible means should be taken to secure- its early delivery. * I wish to thank the staff for th pir hearty co-operation in carrying out the work during; the past year. During the epidemic especially they met every emergency sis it arose. The power house staff, including the gas produced men rleservo special credit for the way they have carried out their work, very often under trying conditions, especially during the breakdown. The Town Clerk and his staff have l'ondered me every assistance in their power.