THE TRAMWAY QUESTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 219, 4 February 1913, Page 8

THE TRAMWAY QUESTION.

A CHALLENGE TO MR. McLEOD. Mr. Walter liewley writes: I read with regret Mr. McLeod'e letter in your paper this morning, as it was a typical specimen of liow even the more intelligent members of the community evade or fail to the questions that are involved, and will not recognise the rapid improvement that has taken place in the motor 'bus of to-day and the progress that it is making. * Mr. McLeod also fails to recognise that modern traffic conditions and experience of the economy of improved forms of road con- , strnction will necessitate up-to-date ' I streets being laid here. This is the course I am advocating, and then will come the competition of the 'bus propelled by petrol or electricity, or both, as in the petrol-electric 'bus. Mr. McLtod's ipse dixit that it is pueriie to suggest that this competition will come lure lit having already come in other places), of course settles this question. His misconception of the position 'with regard to dustlos streets involves explanation* which it is not worth while to go into here. I would ask Mr. McLeod the following simple issues that are involved without discussing the merits of tramway or motor 'bus: (1) Has he satisfied himself that the power is available for electric trams after supplying Oeatcr NVw Plymouth with water and electric lightV 'in connect ion with the above, we must recollect that we are now dealing with the. enlarged town area and not with the small \e W Plymouth of the past Also that we must provide for the population Ix'ing doubled or trel.le.l- it would then '"'l.v he about that of WnngaTiui—as both Mr. McLeod and „ lvs ,., f , I OUj see it within a verv few year-; Of </<»"-se. if we cannot'provide' the power ii. is iis C |,. s < discussing the question further.

(-) Nil in any way likely (hat ,t will '"• |>'>-sible In raise (ho i n;lll wil]|i|| tll|l next six months, or. mar,. probably, tudve months? If M„ M( ,|, ( , 0( , w ;„ !'"']«»•'• at any of the banks, the PllWil . 'n.st. the A.M.I'. „r ilN> , jf Ulc , 1, ' , ". , . , "7 '"■-titutions. 1 think he will ,„.<. ;»_ little information Hunt will satisfy '"" °.» V ,is I' 0 " 11 - lf "w loan ( . an „ot '«' ™**< l „„.„ why , I(J| ~.,, til)u . toiU . h "-> a lilt!.- more about the merits of the newer form of traction?

(f) Dors Mr. M,-1.,.„,|',!!,,,„(, „„,,.,„.. reetness ot my fi K ,nvs shnwin" a 10-s ~i J.UIS forth,, iirst y,,,r of .decUie tramps.' If not. how docs he justify SUf .h

r do not nucmi to ?() further into tie merits and demerits of either fonil o raet,,,,, until the power question is on! ! : ' S V , ' l '. iollS ll,ilt !t ""»' simply he time to do . 0