TRAMWAY AFFAIRS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18406, 12 June 1925, Page 9

TRAMWAY AFFAIRS.

TO THE ZDtTOa OF "TOTS F&ESS." Sir, —"With all the arguments that are being put forward, tho desired result appears to be as far off as ever, and so it will bo unless some drastic move is made. What is evidently wanted—and I think thousands of ratepayers are of the sarao opinion—is a thorough reorganisation of the working, of tho whole system, '"lock, stock and barrel," from the chairman and present members of tho Board downwards, and unless this is done th?re will be the same trouble and dissatisfaction year after year. An expert (or experts) should be engaged to investigate and report accordingly, particularv as to what retrenchment could be effected, then the public would no doubt have the true state of affairs, and the sooner it is done tho better. It has been done recently in connexion with the Government railways, then vhy not in regard to the tramway management? There is, no doubt, plenty of room for retrenchment, but it is very doubtful if the present Board would carry any out to tho satisfaction of the ratepayers. If the Board will not call in experts to report on the working of the system, then a public meeting should be called to demand it. I would like to ask the chairman of the Board, or the general manager (with your permission, Sir), if free passes on the trams are still being issued to members of tho Board, sundry tramway employees, Mayors, Town Clerks, etc., etc. ? If bo, what is tho approximate loss in revenue by these individuals making use of the trams "on the nod"? This question was asked during a controversy in "The Press" on tramway matters about twelve months ago, but it was evaded, or treated with contempt, as it was never answered.

I was glad to seo that one of yout correspondents a few days ago complained of conductors omitting to call out the respective stopping places, especially after dark, which is very necessary. This used to be done at ono time under different management, but for some reason it has been rut out. There is. also another matter which needs the general manager's attention, and that .is, at rush times when one or two trailers are attached to the front car, the latter is always crowded to excess, while the trailers aro only partlv filled. Why are tho conductors not instructed to direct the overflow to the rear cars when the front one has its full complement? These aro matters that should be seen and remedied by the General Manager and his battalion of inspectors, without ratepayers having to point them out. In conclusion, it would be interesting to know who is responsible for the Compilation of the tramway time-tables, for the abbreviation of the respective districts must be. worse than any Chines 3 puzzle to visitors, as they are most idiotic. For instance, ''To Pap" might easily be supposed to be a place* for habies, tUen "Sum," * l"Cran St.," 'fN. Btn," "Lin," "Dal," "Add,", 1 "Rice," "Fend," "St. Mar," "Sproy," "Rail," "St. Alb," "Temp," "Sock," "Brom," "Lino Ed," are all equallv silly and puzzling to strangers. Why not have the names ' printed in full as there is ample room, and, if not. they could be printed smaller.— Yours, etc., CITY RATEPAYER. June 11th, 1925.

TO THE EDITOR OP "THE' PBE88." Sir,—l think it about time that the bus riders aired a few of their grievances, as the trams have been; having all the attention. Living about two and a half miles from the Square, we have to pay iiyopenee to ride there in the bus and..threepence for'-a child. Surely there is robni' for improvement hei-e. Also, the Council have forbidden, any passengers standing,,and.as a bus only carries about. twenty-four, you can imagine in the busy hours how many, disappointed passengers there are. Last night at ten fifteen—the. last bus to Bryndwr—about half, the fares were for Winchester and Rugby streets—an easy walk from the tramj while abc-to. a dozen Bryndwr residents were refused room, and had to walk about twenty minutes from - Fendalton • or* Papanui trams. ... To-day, the managers or' mismanagers have put a gonductor to a one-man-bus— more expense for the poor traveller. Taking both these' last together, 1 we shall find the bus 'disappear, owing to it not paying. Is the Board working for this end?— Yours, etc.,>: - ■:■'■: IDRI9ROAD. June 10th, 1925. V... .-\; : : ; TO THE EDITOR, OF "THE' PRESS." Sir,-r-Seeing that there is. considerable discussion about the raising of tram fares, I purchased the Tramway Board's time-table for, this month to ascertain, what the new fares were. Consulting the index I was referred to page 11. There I -found information about "Easy possibly applicable to tram riders, but far from helpful at the present moment. Beyond this I can get no information.—Yours, etC "' CONSTANT TRAVELLER. • June 10th, 1925.

TO THE EDITOtI OJ "THB FSESS." . Sir,—l was very interested iri the letter of E.P.G., who good-naturedly bears with the stops on the Sumner line so as to allow the short distance riders the privilege of riding with him. They no doubt appreciate his patronage, but if he thought more about it he would appreciate their kindness in using the trams, as it is only on account of the short distance riders that the bumner people are carried at the cheap rate they at present enjoy. If thej-paid_in tho same proportion as the short distance riders the fare would be prohibitive. Instead of throwing abuse ami sarcasm, E.P.G. should be waiting on the car step shaking hands with the short distance riders and welcoming them aboard. ' ~ With regard to the loss on the past year's workings, Mr Wright had a long letter in your psper the other- uay,. making various suggestions for making up tho loss, but he did not point out that he was the main cause of the loss. As is well known, Cashmere Hills was formed into a special rating area along with other localities. . Special polls, were taken in these areas on the distinct understanding that any Joss resulting in the running of trams in these special areas should be made up by the ratepayers in these districts. However, Mr Wright initiated a campaign to wipe out these special rating areaa and through a technicality unfortunaielv was successful, with the resultant loss to the Board.—i Yours, etc., 2}d. June 10th, 1925. '

to Tin; zdito'x or "the p&xsa." Sir, —Nobody wants to live on charity, so by all means let the trams pay thejr way, for business is business; yet even so the genial human is the one who gets the business, and not the frozen official type. Has our Tramway Board become such that it has no better way, of increasing returns than by depriving their patrons of the one human touch our irksomeiy-run trams did at one time possess, viz., the transferable concession ticket? In Wellington the friendly smile is still to be seen when the "Two nips, please," is, heard, sometimes raised to the quiet laugh all

round when a merry man says "Ten, please," as he pays for his whole party: but iu Christchurch all that is heard or wanted is "cash." Trusting that this S.O.S. will havo some effect, — Yours, etc., A. A. BICKERTON. Juno 11th, 1925.