THE TRAMS.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 June 1920, Page 5

THE TRAMS.

WESTOWN EXTENSION. TOTAL COST £20,500. The estimates for the extension of the tramway system to Westown were submitted to the Borough Council last night by Mr. R. H. Hartley, electrical engineer, Mr. Bartley said the estimates did not vary much from those submitted in September, 191S), when no plans or levels were available. Jn one instance he had had to increase the amount then allowed, due to rises in materials and wages, but by a more economical design of the feeder system lie had been able to make certain reductions. The estimate now was:

MATERIALS. £ s. d. Permanent way ; 22,340 0 0 Overhead gear feeders, etc 2,522 IB 0 Total ..... £24,868 HI 0 CONSTRUCTION. Permanent way 3,530 0 0 Overhead gear .... 601 0 0 Total £4,131 0 O ENGINEERING. Plans and contingencies .. 500 4 0 Grand total £20,500 0 0 This estiamte did not include any alteration to roads other than that necessary to put down tramway tracks in uniformity with the grades on the plana. It did not include any amount for the purchase of land as shown in the plans; or for cutting away the bank in Morley Street, or for laying kerbing, etc., in Morley Street, but an amount of £430 is allowed for altering the grade to that shown on the plans for the tramway track and foundation only. The matter of draining, track foundation, and track, had been carefully considered, and an (-mount of £4OO had been allowed for this work. The estimate was for a single line and loops,- from Morley .Street to Omata Road, a. length of two mile?, allowing for grades and treated as single track, overhead gear on bracket arm construction bridled in curves and single trolley wire with provision for a second at a future date, if necessary. The general manager reported that from experience in connection with the installation of the main lino from Fitzfoy to the Breakwater, he was satisfied that a large sum of money would he required for formation and 'other street works in the streets along which the extension would be made, rue £4sfi allowed was for altering the grade on the tramway track, itseli, and nothing appeared to have been allowed for work in other portions of the streets rendered necessary by the laying down of tram track. Money would necessarily have to lie provided for this, and the whole should be combined in one loan proposal. In order that this might be done, he recommended that the borough engineer should be instructed to submit an estimate of the cost of any work likely to be rendered necessary through the route of the extension by the. installation of the tramways tliereon. The council also directed that provision should be made for the following items in the new loan, and he mentioned them again in order that they might not be overlooked:-

(a) Additional rolling stock; (b) Triangle for turning car; (c) Increased workshop accommodation at carsheds; (d) Strong room at car sheds depot. (e) Extra tram shelters; (f) .Strip of deep asphalt oil both sides of each tram rail throughout the whole system, including extensions. A sufficient allowance must also be made, for purchase of land required for street widening in certain parts of the route of extension. It was resolved that the question of the road be referred to the borough engineer, and that the electrical engineer Eubmit estimates regarding the other proposals.