TOPICS OF THE DAY

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20506, 24 May 1938, Page 6

TOPICS OF THE DAY

Early Transport Troubles

“The cheap means of transit within the city, provided by the Tramway Company and Cobb and Co.'s bus service, is no doubt a groat public convenience and is much appreciated,” remarked The Post. Wellington, fifty years ago. “The competition for traffic is, however, becoming rather too keen for public safetv, and stringent measures will have to be taken to prevent the lives and limbs, not only of passengers in the competing vehicles, but those of other people using the roads and footpaths, being endangered. The scene in Willis Street and Manners Street yesterday evening shortly after 5 o'clock was one of most dangerous confusion. There were a large number of tram-cars on the line, and also of buses, all crowded with passengers: the drivers and guards were whistling and yelling at each other, and the evident object of the drivers in many instances was certainly to throw every possible obstruction in the way of the rival vehicles, without much regard to the considerations of safety....

The infliction of a few heavy fines, and perhaps the cancellation of one or two drivers’ licences, for improper conduct, would no doubt have the effect of preserving order on the road in future.”