The Globe. TUESDAY, JULY 4, 1876.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 637, 4 July 1876, Page 2

The Globe. TUESDAY, JULY 4, 1876.

Some four years back an application was made to the City Council on behalf of a projected company for permission to construct tramways in the streets of Christchurch. At that period, however, doubtless for good and sufficient reasons, the Council declined to entertain the matter. The subject was again revived at the meeting of the City Council held yesterdav, when a similar application was made, and it was also stated that if the Council saw their way clear to grant the request several capitalists were prepared to join together to carry the undertaking to a practical issue. To this we are glad to note the Council have agreed to return a favorable answer to the effect that they are prepared to give the weight of their influence in favor of tramways should a feasible scheme be submitted. It is matter for congratulation that our municipal representatives have some spirit of enterprise, and that they are willing to assist, so far as their influence is concerned, in procuring for the people of Christchurch the benefits of a mode of locomotion which has the double advantage of ease and cheapness. The General Legislature we may remark has not been unmindful of the good to be derived from the introduction amongst us of street tramways, which in America and elsewhere have proved so successful; and in 1872 an Act, entitled The Tramways Act, 1872, was passed by the Assembly. By this Act two means are provided by which tramways may be constructed, one being by the local authorities—i.e., the City or Borough Councils, out of rates —the consent of the ratepayers having been first obtained by means of a poll—and the other with which we now have more particularly to deal, by a company. The Act is a very lengthy one, but the provisions dealing with the procedure in the case of a company desiring to construct a tramway may be briefly summarised. An order signed by the Superintendent has to be obtained authorising the construction, the consent of the local authority (in this case the City Council) being first obtained, and the local authorities are empowered to make such terms with the company desiring to carry out the tramway as may be deemed fit. They may either stipulate for the payment of a fixed annual sum or a proportionate part of the profits of such tramway in consideration of their consent being given, and the right of user over any road or roads under their control being ceded. They may further stipulate that the company shall give security for the due performance of the work and the carrying out and construction of Buch tramway. But all such agreements can only be made, subject to the approval of the Superintendent. In the neighboring province of Wellington arrangements have been made under the provisions of the Act for the construction of a tramway through the city of Wellington, and within the past few days the formal order has been signed by the Superintendent, and the work is to be at once commenced. Here in Christchurch perhaps more than in any city in New Zealand, the natural formation affords great facilities for the cheap and expeditious construction of tramways; besides which, there is one very strong argument in favor of the laying down of at least wha]b we may call the trunk line from the present railway station to the Papanui road. It will be remembered that some time back a very strong agitation was got up in favor of a central railway Btation, but that after a great deal of talk on the matter nothing practical resulted therefrom. The Government are now erecting large additions to the buildings at the station, comprising workshops, &o, which pretty plainly indicates that there is no intention of changing the site. It seems, therefore, a foregone conclusion that we must accept the present railway station as the permanent one of the city. This being so, it remains to be seen how we can best obviate the many disadvantages as to remoteness from the centre of the city and many of the suburbs, which are now fast growing into importance, and it seems to us that the proposed tramway is the remedy which will meet the; case. If a tramway were constructedalong the line of route referred to, the; commercial centre would be brought into close connection with the termini of our railways, and by means of branch tramways, which would, were the working of the main line to prove successful, soon be inaugurated, the suburban districts and streets, other than the main ones, would soon be also connected therewith. In addition to this, we should secure a rapid, easy, and economical system of locomotion, which would tend very greatly to the comfort of the residents of the city.