THE TRAMWAY COMPANY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2011, 4 August 1880, Page 3

THE TRAMWAY COMPANY.

TO THE KDITOB OF THE PEESB. Sib, — I cannot help feeling amused when reading from time to time correspondence by “ A Ratepayer ” re the above Company, who would make it appear that the tramway, far from being a public boon, is none other than a nuisance. It is a well known fact that the company, having received powers to lay their permanent way through the streets, have to keep not only that part which intersects their rails, but also some eighteen inches each side of same in thorough repair to the satisfaction of the city surveyor, thereby relieving the ratepayers of the whole cost of maintenance of 7ft. 6in. of roadway wherever the company have laid down their permanent way. With respect to the use of steam on tramways, there can be no question as to the superiority of such motive power as against horse power. Oars can bo brought to a dead stand in some six inches with the former, whereas tho latter cannot be stopped under as many feet, consequently there are less aooi dents of a serious nature on lines by steam than those worked by horses. I believe also that the engines here are fitted with selfacting breaks, that will not allow of a greater speed being run than from eight to ten miles per hour without bringing the whole train to a full stop. When in the “old country” some short time since, I well remember the convenience cars were, not only in the city of London, but also in many parts of the provinces, and I may say that the Christchurch cars are far superior in style and finish to anything at home. In a recent number ef the “Sydney Herald,” an article appeared on tramways, wherein it was affirmed that Christchurch holds the proud position of possessing the best rolling stock in the Southern Hemisphere, »ad that the Government have not only decided to spend some £600,000 on tramways, but have also sent a commissioner down to report upon the working thereof in this and other parts of New Zealand. I quite agree with the remarks of * A Ratepayer ’ that care should be exercised in the selection of members for the City Council at the next election, and "that men of “ fearless and independent characters ” will be selected in preference to men who seem inspired with a desire to crush out the efforts of a local enterprise of the greatest value to all classes of this communityThere is no doubt that the ratepayers here, like those in Dunedin and Wellington, will have little patience with any candidate for, or holder of, municipal honors who signalises his want of sympathy with modern progress in opposing the cheap and expeditious transit for the riding public in the form of tramways. In fact, at the present moment, a man who condemns them is generally considered to be “as mad as a hatter,” or so inflated with gas that he must have his little say whether reasonable or otherwise. Yours, &0., A Fbeqitekt Passenqeb.