A GLOWING TESTIMONIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3398, 13 December 1911, Page 2

A GLOWING TESTIMONIAL.

THE EDISON BEACH TRAfVICAR. WHAT THE MAKERS CLAIM. Among the correspondence before the ‘ Borough Council last, night was a eir--1 eular letter relating to tho Edison- ■ Beach electric ears. Since they exhibited their first single truck battery car two years ago. it was stated, they had put out three different typos of cars (single and double truck ; and Continental type). They had pass- . ed the exjierimental stage; Beach cars equinned with Edison batteries did their work well. Their owners included some of the largest steam and electric 1 systems in the country, who were their J very best friends. There was not aj single Beach car in operation that was : unreliable in service or not earning a i real profit for its owner. Hence the j additional sales and repeat orders, j Twenty-four towns or cities were now i served with Beach cars, in regular ! operation in the hands of purchasers on j urban, suburban, inter-urban electric 1 substituting steam trains). Sixty-four towns would he served by Beach cars, equipped yith Edison batteries, as soon as the present orders were fulfilled. The element of chance or experiment on the part of the purchaser had boon eliminated by the. manufacturers. Beach cars of various types had been used . continuously for a long period, and were now performing many classes of services on heavy grades at high and slow speeds in all seasons, and many Localities during severe blizzards, frequently when trolley and other cars and steam trams were interrupted or put out of business entirely. The care were sold under a sound gurantee to perform properly the specific service required. Tho guarantee meant a cost of a battery per car mile, including upkeep of 1.3 cents i>er car mile. Beach ears equipped with Edison batteries were less expensive to instal and operate than trolley steam locomotives or any known system. The company also forwarded a table of weights for their various oars for (shinning. The Mayor was proceeding to read tho circular letter when. Cr. Collins wanted to know who the report on storage battery cars was by. 1\ as it, liy one opposed to the care? 'Hie. Mayor: No; it is from the company. Cr. Collins: I thought so. The Mayor: I thought you wanted to hear some good stuff. Perhaps other Councillors might if yrtu don’t.

Cr- Collins: No. thank von. Cr. Darton: Ask the engineer what would be the weight of the batteries. He know a man who had attended an exhibition of these batteries, and he could not lift two combined cells. The Engineer said the whole battery would weigh about 75owt. Or. Darton expressed surprise at the weight, but. Cr. Brown pointed out it was not so much as their rails would carry a few tons in addition to this. Cr. Webb wanted to know whether the line would he laid by day labor or contract.

The Mayor replied that that point would' ho discussed hater. They hoped to start the trams as soon a.s possible. Or. Webb: 1 hope it’s eon tract. The letters were received.