THE TRAMWAYS.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 June 1916, Page 8

THE TRAMWAYS.

ENGINEER'S REPORT. Mr. R. Hartley (tramways, engineer) will rc])ort to to-night's meeting of tlie Borough Council us follows: 1 beg to report on the working of the tramways for the period from April 21 to June 7, 1910, as under:— This period comprised six weeks and six days, and includes the Morley-Eliot street line for two weeks and four days. The revenue producing days on tire Morley street line are really three less than given above, as no Sunday service is in operation on this line. MAIN LINE, FITZROY TO BREAK-' WATER.

It will be clearly observed from the foregoing figures that the revenue produced by the Morley street cars is collected almost entirely on that portion of the road between Egmont street and Eliot street. This is proved by the drop in the main line revenue as soon as the Morley stifeet section was put into operation. of course, is just what I expected would happen, on account of the length of line being so short, but T have under consideration now a method which I think will greatly improve this, and also the main route. The average revenue per day on the main line route is £2l 2s 3d, and on. the Morley street route £2 13s Bd. Total average revenue of £22 lis Id per day for seven days per week since the full service has been in operation, which, in my opinion, is a very fair result, and better than I expected,, especially when one. considers that the system has just commenced, that it is mid-winter and war time, the town in all respects being at its worst. The passengers carried per car mile including both routes are 0.5. the average fare per passenger 1.76 d, and the revenue per car mile is 11.2 d. The latter goes to show that the service %frequency is just about right, as this figure should rarely exceed 12d ; The passengers carried per car mile are small, but this is due largely to the Morley street line, which is increasing the car mileage as against the passengers carried. The period of temporary service has not been included in the above.

As far as I can see at present, the working expenses are within my estimate, while the receipts are in excess. The units consumed per car mile are working out at about 1.3, the figure that I allowed for in my estimate, but I am unable just at present to give an exact figure, as a number of units due to battery charging and battery losses have all been registered on the tramways meter, which will necessitate careful consideration before accurate deductions can be made. PLANT, The plant is, generally speaking, working very well, but, like all new plant, requires very careful attention at the commencement, and which I am pleased/ to report, it is receiving. The track and overhead gear is similarly situated, and working well. There are still some small items in connection with track, overhead gear and cars which are receiving the Tramway Contractors' attention, but these items do not come within this report, TIME TABLE. I have carefully observed the results of "the time table that we have been running since the main line wa9 opened, and I am of the opinion that, considering all matters, such as number of cars in the service and staff employed, etc., it is one most economical from the tramway department's point of view, and also from the point of view of the public. I purpose putting this time-table in the printer's hands in the course of a day or so. The want of the timetable by the public has been urgent, but I endeavored to guard against having a time-table printed until I was satisfied that it was going to fulfil the above requirements. Owing to the difference in traffic requirements, which I fear will exist here between the winter and the summer, I am almost certain that two separate time-tables will be required per year. The winter one being from April to September and the summer one from October to March. However, I would suggest that our present time-table he made to hold until September next, when I will be in a position to say more dofinitely as to what is required. RE STOPPING PLACES AND SECTIONS. As far as I can at present ascertain the existing stopping places and sections seem to be meeting the public requirements, but from an economical point of view I would like to see the request stop at Ciirrie street in Devon street moved down to the Bank of New Zealand lit Brougham street, or between Curric street and Brougham street. At tlie present time it is situated just at the heaviest part of the grade on Devon street hill, and I think a good deal of saving could be effected if the above were adopted, and I do not think it would inconvenience the public. COLLISION WITH MOTOR CAR. On Thursday last at 5.17 p.m. a collision occurred in Devon street, about 100 yards west of Eliot street. The motor car No. C.F. 33, owned and driven

Passen- £ « d gers Miles April 21 to 27 220 12 4 29,520 2926J April 2S to May 4 142 15 10 Ifl.OSO 32 74 J May 5 to 11 128 17 3 17.222 SI 57? May 12 to 15 137 12 S 18,583 328S itay in to 25 127 1!) 1 17,087 30G3 May 20 to June 1 .... 128 11 1 17,190 30335 June 2 to 7 129 0 9 17,129 2462} £1013 9 0 135,S15 21,205J MORLEY-ELIOT STREET LIXE. May 20 to 25 10 . 4 0 . 2,800 480^ May 20 to ' June 1 18 18 ft 3,298 585J June 2 to 7 IS 4 2 3,104 4SGj £53 (i 11 9,262 1558 £1013 n 0 135,815 21,2051 Totals £1000 15 11 145,077 22,703?