GISBORNE TRAMWAYS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3982, 15 July 1915, Page 6

GISBORNE TRAMWAYS.

THE STORAGE "BATTERY CABS. MB W. H. GROSS’ REPORT. In his report to the Borough Council committees on Tuesday night. 31r W. H. Cross, tlio Gisborne tramways manager, referred to .M r Harris’ recommendation to instal an undepdutig battery compartment for continuous operation, and added : “After examining it on the lorry in Christchurch, ajm after discussing the question of $0 cell equipments -with Air Holland, lie agreed that it was not practical when applied to a tramway system, this bearing out my objection to it at the conference held in the -Mayor’s office previous to my going to Christchurch. Mr Harris also enlarged greatly on the question re want of proper cleaning facilities, dry stoaming system, etc. Mr Holland quite agreed with me that no system of steaming could clean the old typo of cell when assembled in the trays ol our description, with the metal clip and cradle kind of suspension such as we have wythout taking the whole lot tp pieces. This has been done at least four times by me, also the statement, the ears should have, at least an annual overhaul, stating that this lias not boon done, and the ears have been in continuous service for over two years. This also is incorrect, and if you look up my. reports you will find that although the cars have only been in commission two years and two months, they have each,, had a. thorough overhaul, bodies lifted from trucks, cleaned and painted, wheels turned, cleaned and reassembled; certainly the car bodies were not painted, that being out of question, owing to not having any other rolling stodc to replace the car which would l>e out of commission about three weeks. Surely it must be a poor system that depends for its success or otherwise ou a coat of paint. The question of spares and additional rolling stock arc ones of immediate consideration. The list of spares as submitted ny Mr Harris, which, if adopted, be considers will'eliminate all out troubles is wide of the mark, as a careful study of them will disclose the fact that they eater only for the Edi.son battery. While l consider the battery the most valuable and important, it cannot produce results of its own; there are other spares quite a.s important, if of less value, such as motors, tv res for wheels, axles, etc. Tin >se being not to standard and more or less freak construction it is practically impossible to get them, even if it were so I could not conscientiously advise the Council to spend more money in getting more of an article that will never-he a success; in my estimation it would bo more satisfactory and economical to run them ns long as possible, than to replace them with standard equipment. “There is no doubt whatever about the want of another car. apart from using it to replace one of the others; there is room for i{ in regular traffic, and almost any day at certain times I could use it to advantage. If the Council decide to continue the storage battery system, i personally consider the offer made by Mi - Holland to be of great value to the Council, lie being probably the greatest authority on storage battery application for traction purposes. The trailer operation is correct for a city witnout grader, such as ours, providing the battery accommodation be designed to suitlocal requirements; one importantdetail must not be lost sight of. in cities when it is operated with any degree of success they have circular routes, or balloon hoops constructed at their different termini. In our case, on

the present dead ends, other shunting accommodation would need to be provided. If you so decide. 1 should recommend that you order one single truck complete, with all necessary fittings, electrical and mechanical, fitted for trailer operation, one complete truck for trailer fitted with a battery compartment as specified by Mr Holland. You would then have a complete set, a battery could then be ordered at any time for the trailer, when the tramway was extended and the need of more mileage , per car operating on that system. The. cost of a trailer truck would be very light, because there will not be any fitting.* apart from the actual ‘truck. You will have received the benefit of My Holland’s expert supervision 01 U ilc-ugi-antl erection, also his plan <>i a battery compartment- and car body, which will of course be built in New Zealand.”