TRAM CAR DRAMAS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 599, 30 August 1909, Page 7

TRAM CAR DRAMAS.

' MP AN EMBARRASSING CONCESSION*. ' .Little comedies and tragedies still enliven daily the operation of a tramSvay oonoessio-ii to suburban, residents, which has been irn foroe'for some two months. It used to be a grievance of the Island Bay resident that when lie wished to hoard his car for homo at tho end of his, day's work it was not his ' car in particular,, Often ho had to stand, and) sometimes ho was unablo to find oven standing-room, because tho oar was crowded with short-distanco passcngeTS, who could have taken other tars. Tho'Complaints of tho Island Bay resident had weight with tho City Council, and a special car woe provided for his comfort, which leaves the 'Governmont Statiqn daily at 6 p.m. A notice is displayed for tie discouragement of casual passengers, that tho minimum faro on. this car is threepence, but the notico is over* looked by scores 'of people who do not study j;ramcars except to, see where thoy ore going. Five minutes after this car has left the - Government the following.little dia« logue's may "be heard:— Conductor (to gentleman who has proffered a penny): ,Tho faro is three* penoo,' please. Gentleman Passenger: But I am only going to the top of' Lambkin Quay. I Conductor: Tho minimum faro is threepence on this car. . 1 The passmgerknits his brows in some bewilderment, andv an inspector corrects, "noj minimum, lowest." (Sotto voco to conductor) : "They, never kuow what minimun, means." , 1 The ■ conductor good-humouTodly explains tho position, and the passenger pays, murmuring. Tho conductor has tho same scons with passenger number two. A couple a' ladies npxt express warm indignation at th« claim, argue os to who shall pay ; The inspector intercepts 'Several other ladies as they step on td the platform. "Lowest fare on this car , threopenoe." Som* of them get off, and.soino remain to arguo. Inside the car tho conductor makos hit explanation for tho fifth time in five min utes, and this time to a man who has n< other coin but a penny and a sovereign. Tho penny is rejected, the sovereign cannot bo changed, and tlio conductor, with tho gravity of a policeman, takes the namo and address of tho intiuder, who will bo furthei awed in a short time by receiving through tho post a bill for threepence from tho corporation. A minute lator and the guard it replying to another voluble expostulation. Do theso scenes happon daily?" asks a previous victim. "Ercry day," says the official. Thero are ten passengers in tho car, Four of,them are smihng'bioadly.. They aro going to Island Bay.