TRAILERS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1329, 5 January 1912, Page 4

TRAILERS.

WHY NOT TRY THEM IN WELLINGTON. .

In the majority of cities where a tramway system embraces long runs on the flat, extra cars (without electrical equipment) or trailers are used with excellent results, and though the suggestion that they should be used in Wellington is not a new one, there are those whose opinion is worthy of consideration who are prepared to advocate their use on certain sections of Wellington's system. Although our City Council has been forced to pursue a steady car-building policy, the difficulty of coping, with the traffic during rush hours remains with us. Ono has only to notico the scramble there is for standingroom at mid-city stopping places at 1 p.m., 5 p.m., and often after tho theatres at night to arrive at tho conclusion that there is something wrong with the system. Such is the position at times that the conductors have to adopt a very firm attitude in keeping tho public from crowding on to already overcrowded cars, and what the position would bo if the Auckland idea of strictly limiting tho number allowed to stand in a car were adopted in Wellington one does not like even to contemplate. So rigidly is this rule enforced in Auckland tha't the chivalrous action on the part of a man giving up his soat for a lady who cannot find a seat hardly exists, for the simple reason that at any stopping placehe may be ordered to leave (ho car as tlie number standing is in excess of that provided by the regulations. Tho euro ,for tho rush-hour overcrowding in Wellington may exist in bringing into use the "trailer," which could bo appended to cars running anywhere between* Thorndon and Ne-.v town—where the track is reasonably flat. On the steep grades, such as the Mount Victoria, Brooklyn, ICiirori, and Wndestown sections the trailer might be impracticable, but the heavy traffic in Wellington hardly concerns those sections, and they need not bo considered. A new tramways manager U to be appointed shortly bv the Cily Council, and one of his first duties should be (ho control of (lie traffic during rush hciirs and any special occasions when it is known the business is likely to lie brisk. Jlo might consider the mailer of trailers with other responsible oOieers. Mr. W. H. Morton, City Engineer, states that en some of tho lines in Sydney, as many as throe trailers are drawn by a ear as an nrdinary thing, and ho sods no reason why "trailers" should uol. bo adopted over certain sections in Wellington during busy hours. Christchurch i;sea "trailers' with good effect all the year round. For the sako of expediency and economy iu ear-building, why not the "bailer" for Wclliastoa?