"CLANG-A-LANG!"

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1933, 16 December 1913, Page 14

"CLANG-A-LANG!"

WANGANUI ELECTRIC TRAMWAYS. The electric tramway system at Wanganui has now been in operation for live years, and during this period the system has been extended considerably, and further extensions are at present in hand. When tlio idea for olectrio traction for Wanganui was first mooted, it met with great opposition from a section of tlio citizens who favoured tlio Purrey steam cars to electric traction.. A poll in favour of electric cars was carried on November 28, 1900, and tenders called shortly after, Messrs. Woolf and Co., being the successful tenderers, the total loan being £45,000. Tho inauguration ceremony took place on December 10, 1908, the cars at that time numbering four. Tho power plant put down consisted of two sets —each consisting of an E.C.C. 75 K.W. generator, driven by a Tangyo horizontal suction gas engine, the gas producers also being of the well-known Tangyo type. This plant was supplemented last year by a>'4oo li.p. four-cylinder Brow-ctt-Lindley gas engine, operating from a Mond pressure plant, and a storago battery and booster were installed and a now switchboard erected. The suplily of coko fuel for the producers is drawn from tho municipally-owned gas works. Soon after the system started, two additional cars were found necessary, making six in all. The system had been running for about three years when the extension to Castlecliff (a seaside resort at the mouth of the river) was put in hand, the Gonville and Castlecliffe Tramway Board putting down the line, and the borough supplying, tho power and cars. The total loans for this extension, borne bv tho borough and Tramway Board, amounted to £70,000, and the cars started running in November, 1912. To cope with the increased traffic duo to the growing service, six additional cars and two trailers were put on the road, tho latter being used on holiday and other occasions during tho rush hours. There is now in all about lli miles of single track. Double track is to bo put dowii in the main thoroughfares, and extensions of the lino at Aramolio, and also over the now bridgo at Dublin Street, to Wanganui East, will be commenced shortly. As showing the growth of tho service, a few figures may bo quoted: For tho first year, ending March 31, 1910, receipts amounted to £884 los. 2d. In 1911 the return were as follow: —Receipts, £9619 6s. Id.; car miles run, 192,193. For last year, ending March .31, 1913, receipts amounted to £15,632 13s. 3d.; car miles run, 282.424.52j showing a profit of £405 lis. 2d.