THE TRAMS.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 January 1916, Page 3

THE TRAMS.

TO COMMENCE IN MARCH. PROGRESS OF THE SCHEME. The Tramways Committee of the Borough Council met last night. Present: The Mayor (chairman), and Crs. L. M. Moii'ioaHi, J. S. S. Medley, J. Hayden, F. E. Wilson, W. V. Short, F. J. Hill, S. .7. Smith, J. T. Mannix, and A. K. Wiitkins The consulting engineer (Mr. F. Black) reported: "The storage battery plates are advised by cable as having been forwarded for shipment by the Rotorua, due in New Zealand about the end of this month; the balance of the feeder cables were advised as shipped by the Paparoa, but have not been delivered by her, and the contractors are of opinion that they were shut out and are in another steamer following. The insulated bolls for overhead material are similarly affected. The high tension panels for the motor generators are advised as having been shipped this, week by the Kumara. Provided the insulated bolts turn up within the next week, I think it feasible to arrange for having current on the overhead line by the end of the present month, sufficient to enable one or two cars to be run for testing the various, parts of the plants aiuP for giving the men who are available some experience on the. road. To enable this to be done a temporary connection of the motor generators to the Council's new high tension switchboard will be required, and I am asking the borough elcelricar engineer to permit this. Tt will not be possible, however, to institute a regular service of the normal number of cars until the storage battery is in commission, and this canInot well be the ease before the early [part of March." On the progress of the work, Mr. Black reported: "The balance of the poles between the Breakwater Hotel and the terminus have been erected, bracket arms fitted and the trolley wires run and fixed. This completes the overhead wiring with the exception of finishing oil' on curves, this work awaiting the arrival of insulated bolts and curve hangers, which are now due. Telephone and test wires have been erected in Egmont and St. Aubyn Streets and in Breakwnte) Road, completing this work except in Liardet Street. The track curve at Devon and Egmont Streets, junction has been, altered. The overheard wiring of the car shed Fas been put in hand and is mostly completed. All car bodies have been delivered in good condition and, are now beitfg erected on trucks.''

In regard to the progress of the tram route the following appeared in the report of (lie borough engineer (Mr. E. 0. Clayton) to the Works Committee: "Progress of works on the tram route: (1) In Devon Street, between Hover and Hobson Streets, metalling has been completed; (2) Metalling is nearly completed on the Breakwater Road; (3) Tarring and sanding of Egmont Street is completed, and Devon Street, from Queen Street to Liardet Street, is completed with the second coat. Devon Street, from Liardet Street, to Cover Street, has been scarified, metalled, and tarred on the north side, while between Cover Street and Hobson Street, Devon Street has been tarred and sanded; (4) The, embankment at the Mot won excavation has been completed." Cr. Tlnyden thought everything possible should be done to arrange a modified service, and he understood this could he done in about, three weeks. If 'a half-hourly service was run then it would prove a great convenience and be a saving of money. The Mayor said this was not a matter he could say anything on, and it would be necessary to consult Mr. Black. Tt -ould'be the middle of February before a modified service could be started and then the time-tables would have to bo altered early in March, Consideration of the matter was postponed until next Monday.