NEW PLYMOUTH TRAMWAYS.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 April 1919, Page 7

NEW PLYMOUTH TRAMWAYS.

THE YEAR'S OPERATIONS. In his annual report for the year the engineer for the New Plymouth Borough Tramways (Mr. R. H. Bartley) says: Many advjerse conditions Have been met with. Up to October last the revenue increased by over £4OO in fares, as compared, with the previous year. Then came the influenza epidemic* and the closing down of the service for approximately three weeks, and it was not until February following that the revenue approached anything like normal. The tramways depend to a considerable degree on the summer weather. The above conditions, together with high increases in wages, etc. will undoubtedly hit the tramways extremely hard this year. ■

In the operation of the tramways much time arid consideration has been given to effect economy and in no case under present conditions will any portion stand further reduction. From enquiries I have made from various systems in New Zealand and abroad, I have not found on? in proportion operating with as small a stall' as. New Plymouth. The tramways have created a considerable amount of unearned increment, and this should not be overlooked in making our comparison. I have already reported in detail on the method of one-man operation during certain hours of the day and this system in conjunction with extensions will Be the means of greatly improving the financial position. Careful attention has been given to maintenance and the plant is in firstclass condition. One still feels very much the lack of facilities for frequent turning of the ears. The wheels have been removed and turned round twice during the year and this has helped to equalise the wear on the flanges. The car bodies, however, have not been turned and as the result the seaward sides will require a good deal of attention this coming year.