THE DUNEDIN TRAMWAY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2253, 18 May 1881, Page 3

THE DUNEDIN TRAMWAY.

PBOUD FOOT, PBOUD PEN.

[PEE PBES9 ASSOCIATION.] DUNEDIN, May 17.

The City Council having called tho attention of Mr Proudfoot, the tramway proprietor, to tho fact of his using open cars on the lines, also of laying down plain rails instead of grooved rails, Mr Proudfoot sent a letter to the Council to-day protesting strongly against the attitude taken up towards him. Ho said —“ The cars ore the very best I have been enabled to put upon the roads since tho fire (which occurred in D c mbir last), and I could not bring from the other side of tho world cars along the cable wire. Tho care required for these tramway lines ere not kept in stock like other goods, such as bar iron, pots, pane, &c. Apart from this, however, I hold that you have net the slightest right to interfere in tho matter of oars, whether open or otherwise. It is my Joss and not yours. If I do not satisfy tho public I am prepared at once to suspend all traffic whatever ow tho city tramway, and wait until tho new cars arrive. Possibly this it tho best method of settling this alleged grievance. If your Council agree to this, please intimate me to that effect at once.” As to the grooved rails he said, “ You have no right to insist on my using grooved rails, you are again travelling beyond tho agreement. It is not so nominated in tho bond that I should uso grooved rails. At leant I fail to discover bo, and Ido not know that there is an Act of Parliament which can compel mo to do more than is in my agreement.” It was admitted by the Mayor that tho Council had no power as to rails, and as to tho other matters it was generally admitted that Mr Proudfoot had a good excuse for tho tone of his letter, which was received.