GLOOMY TRAMCARS

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 105, 28 January 1943, Page 3

GLOOMY TRAMCARS

Union Secretary Asks Questions '

LETTER TO LIGHTING CONTROLLER

The contention that full lighting should be restored in Wellington tranicars was made by the national secretary of the Tramway Employees’ Union. Mr. I’. A. Hansen."in a letter which be handed to the Lighting Controller in Wellington, Mr L. 13. Hutton, yesterday. The letter contained the following questions:— "Is it not a fact, that, though nouses in the restricted area are required to shade all visible lights and to screen windows in such a manner as to ensure they are‘not visible from the harbour, such restrictions do not apply to the interior lighting of moving vehicles? "Do not the headlights on tramcars comply with headlight restrictions both in respect to the power of the lights and in respect to dipping, no matter in what area the tramcar is being driven? "Is it a fact that, with the exception of street lights visible from the haroour, it is now permissible for the shades or shrouds on all street and tram track lights to be'removed and that you, as general manager of the "tramways and electricity department, can order that to be done without further to any other authority? "Do not the dimly-lit streets in nonrestricted areas authorize a motorist driving with full headlights in unrestricted areas to an extent that would not be permitted were the streets properly lit, and does not that position create a menace in that on each occasion that a tramcar meets a motor-car with full headlights the glare of the headlights momentarily blinds the tramway motorman and_ compels him 'to drive in a ’blind-spot for at least 100 feet after he has passed the motor-car? "To what extent, if any, would the department of which you are general manager stand behind a motorman who was "barged because of the death of a person involved in an accident caused by the contravention of the old axiom that a driver of any vehicle must stop immediately he cannot see where be is going! •‘ln respect to your statement that the work of removing the shades on the interior lights of tramcars is no small job, is it not correct to say that' those same •shades are affixed by four small tacks only and can be quickly and easily removed or replaced? "Finally, is it not the position that though the Government through Cabinet can impose restrictions limiting the amount of light on any street it absolutely cannot, nor has it any power or authority to order that a certain amount of light shall be made available in any streets? In other words, you. as lighting controller can say what shall be the maxi-. mum amount of light permitted in any certain street, but if, in your capacity of lighting controller, you order yourself as general manager of the tramways and electricity department'to show at least, a minimum amount of light in that same street, you can, as general manager, tell yourself, as lighting controller, to mind your own business.”