THE TRAMWAYS.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 March 1922, Page 5

THE TRAMWAYS.

PROPOSED ALTERATIONS. The. question of altering the small wooden tramcars by providing windows and doors was again before the New Plymouth Borough Council last night. In reply to a question the Mayor (Mr; F. E. Wilson) said it did not mean the cars would be operated as one-man cars, though no doubt it was leading up to it. At present, however, there was a resolution that the one-man system should not be operated on the main route. The idea of substituting the blinds with windows was to give more protection, and the doors would give shelter to the motormen. The discussion was on a motion moved and seconded at last meeting proposing to give authority for the alteration of one car as a commencement, consideration of which had been deferred. A resolution forwarded on behalf of the Fitzroy Ratepayers’ Association protested against the proposal of the council to convert the small cars into one-man cars. Cr. J. Kibby did not see the necessity for putting doors on the cars, though he agreed that windows were desirable instead of shutters. He moved an amendment that the alterations be made without putting on doors. The amendment was seconded by Cr. Dingle. Cr. J. Brown considered that doors were necessary for comfort. Further he urged that, seeing the council had the one-man cars, they should make the utmost use of them. For riding comfort the new cars were far ahead of the others; as to their lasting qualities time only would tell. The motion was supported by Crs. T. N. Blackball and V. Grifilths, who both looked forward to the time when the one-man system would be more extensively *in vogue. On being put the amendment was lost; the motion was then carried, Cr. Kibby dissenting. At a later stage Cr. Kibby gave notice to move that no steps be taken in connection with the alterations until the council have consulted Mr. F. Black, of Wellington, designer of the cars.