TRAMS TO CONTINUE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 305, 24 December 1937, Page 8

TRAMS TO CONTINUE

NEW PLYMOUTH SERVICE SCRAPPING NOT FAVOURED REPAIRS TO BE EFFECTED NEW PLYMOUTH, Dec. 21. The New Plymouth tramways are to continue in operation. The council made that decision without much discussion after it had read voluminous reports from a number of officers. The question had arisen on an agitation for the scrapping of the trams and their replacement with trolley buses. The council agreed that it was in the best interests of the borough to retain the present tramway system during its economic life, which was stated to be from 10 to 15 years if certain repairs were made. A recent investigation had led to the disclosure that a considerable part of the track and some of the cars and equipment were in a very poor state of repair. It was decided as soon as possible to give effect to the joint report of the borough and electrical engineers, the principal recommendations in which were: That by spending £3777 the permanent way could be put into a satisfactory condition; that the Liardet Street track be lifted and the rails and overhead gear used where required on the main route, it being anticipated that by doing tjhis practically no new rails would be required; that an additional £lOOO a year be allowed in the tramway estimates for permanent way and track maintenance.