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Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 8, 16 October 1871, Page 2

The advantages to be derived from the connection of Tararu, Grahamstown, and Shorthand by tramway are so obvious as to necessitate little comment. But whether taking the line along Pollen-street is the best course to pursue is a very different matter. It seems to us that carrying the line by the beach would be far preferable. This would not interfere with the present traffic, would prevent the breaking up of ' a well-metalled street, and would obviate the liability to accident which over-crowding Pollen-street would be sure to engender. This thoroughfare is by no means too wide as it is, and, in view of a probable large increase in the population, trade, and commerce of the place, it would be very short-sighted policy to make it any narrower. The route by the beach is exactly the same length as that by Pollen-street, and it is only a few yards distant from that thoroughfare at any point, so that as much accommodation would be afforded to the public by this line as by the other. Moreover, we have heard no objection raised to the Beach route by any of the inhabitants, whereas a large number of the ratepayers residing in the district are averse to the tramway

bojng. ; can-i<ed-a]ong Pollen-street. Now if .a lijie can be found quite as eligible, and to Which no opposition whatever is offered, it ccrtniuly will he a strange kind of policy if the objectionable route be preferred. Let any one consider what- Pollen-street would he when it becomes a more thickly crowded thoroughfare than at present, with a tramway, or possibly two tramways (for tlie Highway Boards are averse to giving] any one c ompany a monopoly ) erected upon it. A memorial to the Highway Boards is now in course of signature, in which the evils of the Pol-len-street route are forcibly pointed out, and the desirability of that by the Beach well poiuted out. There will be a meeting of the Ivauwaeranga Board on Monday, and of the Waiotahi Board on AVednesday, when the matter will in all probability he again discussed. It lias already been debated on more than one occasion, and now stands over for the report of the engineers to he sent in. Differences of opinion will he entertained on this, as on niost .other subjects, hut the balance of opinion in this case will, we believe, he found in favor of the line we, have advocated. The proposed work is one of such great local importance that no rash judgment should be arrived at, but the pros and cons should he carefully weighed, and a conclusion arrived after the arguments on either side have been carefully sifted. AA r e may look forward' to the construction of batteries on the beach at no distant date, and to a great extension of wharf accommodation and the means of connecting these wharves and batteries with the various claims on the hills could, we believe, be .supplied much more efficiently by tlie beach line with branchs along Mary ande AVillougliby streets, than in any other manner. Tramways have been found to work well in the wider thoroughfares of London, but not in its more crowded streets. As an example there is a line from Briston to the foot of AVestminster Bridge, a distance of some three miles, over which a tramway has been constructed. The passenger fare is one penny each, and at this price it pays well. Another line, constructed some years ago, iu a narrower and more crowded thoroughfare, from the Marble Arch to Bayswater, had to be abandoned on account of the serious interference it caused with the ordinary traffic. In America street railways arc the order of the day, hut the streets are always sufficiently wide to admit of the living horse and the iron one having each plenty of room. In the first instance, probably engines would not be used on our local tramway—but the day cannot he very far distant when we shall see and hear the steam engine drawing after it heavily freighted cars, and for such kind of traffic Pollen street is utterly unsuitable, and the beach just as suitable. AVe look forward to the result of the next Board meetings with some interest, and should he glad to hear the expression of public opinion on either side on the question. AA r e have said we believe the majority of tlie inhabitants to be in favour of tlie Beach line, but we should nevertheless like to hear all that the advocatives on the other side have to say. AVhatever may be the conclusion arrived at, there can be but one opinion as to the benefit which will accrue from a street tramway from the Ivauwaeranga Creek to Tararu. It is only as to details that opinions differ, and where all agree as to the importance and advantage of the work itself, the question of which is the better of two routes will soon he decided. AVe have expressed our opinion on tlie matter, but it is for the public themselves to give the final .verdict, and as it is a question upon which all tlie inhabitants are more or less concerned, the sooner they pronounce that verdict the better, as the intending contractors are anxiously awaiting the decision which shall he arrived at in the matter, and as it appears to he fully well decided that the work is to he undertaken the sooner it is commenced the better.