THE TRAMWAY SCHEME.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 141, 23 September 1910, Page 2

THE TRAMWAY SCHEME.

To the Editor. i Sir, —That the report of Mr. F. Black, A.M.1.E.E., is a logical one in respect to the system proposed I have no doubt, but too elaborate for the requirements of New Plymouth when we have a cheaper and as efficient system placed almost at our doors by the self-contained cars effective by the Edison storage battery. I would but recall tile words of Mr. F. E. Wilso.n at the ratepayers' meeting in June last: —"All the New Zealand engineers were working on the trolley system, and would report to that effect.'' I We have the proof in the report placed before us. I am rather surprised at Mr. Black's utter disparagement of the Edison battery cars. However, history repeats itself, for when the over-head trolley system was first installed engin-. eers decried it as a failure in every shape and form. They said the trolley poles ■would be dangerous; the trolley wires would break, and all sorts of hideous excuses were made as are being circulated about the Edison battery car. Why such condemnation should be when there is a simple method of traction with this improved traction battery one cannot realize, unless it is that it does away with a certain amount of engineering ability, or that it is American. There is one thing certain, that it would be much cheaper to instal them than the overhead trolley. The solid construction and the test that it and its former cell have had should satisfy engineers that there is something in it. And it is to be hoped that the Borough Council will weigh the system before deciding upon the one recommended. I was very pleased to read the Press Association paragraph in Wednesday's issue re the Edison storage battery. lam myself convinced that it is going to revolutionise electric traction. The advantages of accumulator traction consist chiefly in the independence of the cars, the security in working, as an accident at the central station does not affect the work- j ing and elasticity of the service, which also renders it easy to meet any temper- j ary demand for increased traffic, and j entire absence of electric conductors along the -track, and also absence-of fluctuations on the lighting system. J. have said that it would be cheaper to instal than any other system. The generating.machinery would not be required ,to bie so large; there would be decreased dimensions of the car-depot and substation; no batteries at sub-sta/tion, no feeders, less switching and controlling appliances, and it would not be necessary to import the cars as insinuated by Mr. Black, for they could be built here in New Plymouth by a firm of coach builders whose management has had considerable experience in tram-car building. "Elvis would in all probability result in a considerable reduction in the cost of the cars. With properly proportioned estimates I consider that a system oi accumulator traction on the proposed route would not exceed the sum of £35,-, 000. The makers of the Edison storage battery give a guarantee for three years, which should be sufficient inducement to any tramway venture. It does not mean to say that the cell will only last three years, for it may last 10, 15, or even 20 years, as it is made to stand fair wear and tear, which is not so with the lead cell as would otherwise be used at •the sub-station for the over-head system. The average life of a lead cell is. 15 years, and at the end of that time the cell would have to be completely renewed. Now, coming to the discussion on the proposed installation, it is re<jretable to note the cutting down of the route proposed. There is no need to starve any portion of the proposed routes, for this difficult problem js solved by the storage battery car. Our American cousins can §ive us an important lesson to learn m the energetic manner in which they build their tramAyays .into districts absolutely unbuilt upon. There, the trams go first and the population follows. Some municipal undertakings have a struggle to exist in tlie face of unsympathetic public opinion. S oi borough councillors, be careful how you stroke public opinion if you wish to have a successful tramway undertaking.-! am, etc., POWER .