THE TRAMWAY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5470, 8 October 1878, Page 2

THE TRAMWAY.

TO THE EDITOR OP TEE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sir,—l beg to give a-most, unqualified denial to the statements contained in “Viator's” letter, in your issue of this morning, as to the rate of speed attained by the tram : cars in running through the city, and that they constantly mu at a rate of over 15 miles an hour is utterly false. It is not true that a speed of TO miles has frequently been attained in WiUis-street, or that the trains go round the corners of Willis and Manners streets at a speed likely to endanger either pedestrians or vehicles ; on the contrary, they’go much slower round those corners than cabs or carriages do. In Man-ners-street wc aro allowed to go 10 miles an hour, but the highest speed has never exceeded 7 or 8. Fop the information of “Viator” I may state that no limit is fixed as to the number of passengers tho company are allowed to carry : in the cars. At certain hours of the day, when persons are going to and returning from business, the platforms of the ca s do get crowded, but that does not inconvenience the passengers who are seated inside. If “Viator” were to travel through America and on the Continent, or even iu England, and see how the tram cars are filled there, ho would not write iu such a carping spirit. In San ■-Francisco I have seen the people stand up in the inside of the cars when there has been no room to scat them, besides the platforms'filled* It is a pity that “ Viator” could not travel aud see what they do in ocher parts of the world besides New Zealand ; it might enlighten •his mind, and give him more liberal sentiments and- ideas. Charges such as those contained in “Viator’s” letter would come with much better grace if signed with the writer’s real name.—-I am, &c., W. V. JACKSON, Manager W.C.T. Co., Limited.

TO THE EDITOU Of THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sib,— Like your correspondent “ Viator” I have taken a great deal of intere t in steam tramways, and am perfectly familiar with the terms of the concession granted to the company in this city. I, however, entirely disagree with him in hie conclusions that the company, in several important'points, are not complying with the terms of their agreement with the Corporation, and in reply to his specific charges, challenge him to prove them, and would say, from personal knowledge, that—1. It is not a fact that the trams run cither constantly or otherwise at the rate of over fifteen miles an hour. 2. It is not a fact that the trams run through Willia-street at tho rate of ten miles an'hour, 3. It'is' a fact that'tho trams run through Manners-street occasionally at the rate of ten miles an hour, which they have a right to do, vide concession, which “ Viator" should study again with more care. , , • 4. It is not a fact that the trams go round the corners at such a speed that’ it is difficult for both pedestrians and vehicles to get out of ■the' way. ■ ' ■ ' There is no limit to the number of passengers to bo carried in each car, and very properly so. The motives for limiting numbers are various. In the case of vehicles propelled by animal power it is to save the animal from being overworked. In the case of steamers and vessels it is, that being only able to carry a certain number of boats it would bo impossible, 1 in ca-e of disaster, to got away more persons than such boats were able to hold. Will either of these motives hold good with reference to the tramway : Did “Viator” over hear of a railway carriage being licensed to carry a limited number of passengers ? Is not the motive power in railways and the Wellington tramway the same—steam ? His argument is as absurd an hie ro-called facts.

The tramway is a ureat success ; people will ride in it, aud if t- ey do.not mind a little cm.sh surely “ Viator''., should not object. Your correspondent may depend up»n it that the public are the best judges of what suits them, and they will notuse the tramway if they are not treated (airly by the company. •His of accident-, having arisen from ignorance of the true facts, may be left to Itself, while bis hypocritical expressions of sympathy for the company may be left to the directors, who will no doubt discount them at their proper value.—l am, &c , A Shareholder.