TRAMS AND ’BUSES.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10306, 15 January 1927, Page 7

TRAMS AND ’BUSES.

(To the Editor.) Sii\ —As a close follower of all matters connected with the much vexed question of our passenger transport problem, I was impressed by Cr. DeCosta’s notice of motion to the Council re our tram system being carried on while such remains in its present state of efficiency and shows a credit balance over running expenses. The figures produced by Cr. DeCosta, giving a credit balance of nearly .-£750 for the past 9 months over running expenses, shows clearly that, combined with the Commission’s report and the reports made by our tramiv ay manager, the system has exclusively reached the stage when it has, after strenuous years, become able to support itself' not considering those liabilities which we cannot avoid under anv circumstances. This, indeed, is a pleasing fact and, taking the whole of the expert evidence upon the tram system, I think Cr. DeCosta’s suggestion is a sound and logical argument to keep the cars running for some time vet The latest reports from the field of higher electrical research show a great possibility of an electrical motive power which will revolutionise the transport system and, although not yet developed to the commercial stage, motor-cars and other vehicles are being operated at a tenth of the present petrol-driven motor horse-power rate. Electrical wonders are coming upon us thick and fast and who can say but that probably within 12 months some of these transport marvels may not become a commercial fact ? * The present agitation in the inner circles ot the motor-car industry evidently shows a knowledge of this possibility. The data supplied by the Institute upon the question is somewhat conservative as to an estimated time for the commercialising of the new power system, but, reading between the lines, the time does not appear to he distant. It must be admitted that, even with the present tram system in vogue here, power from Waikarernoana would certainly decrease the running costs considerably. Presuming that the new system came into use at an early date, with a cheap current sunply from Waikareinoana, petrol motor’buses would then be an expensive luxury, especially. if, later, buses were equipped with the new electrical device. I wonder if our Councillors could be persuaded to he broad-minded enough to consider such possibilities when. it is probable that’ our roading policy apparently does not call for track alteration for 12 months ? I was also impressed by the application per Messrs Burnard and Bull that the Council, should purchase, under the provisions of the motor-bus legislation, the ’buses of Mr. Coham. In the Council meeting on Tuesday evening, Cr. Burnard explained the position and, as I listened, I concluded the application was simply in the form of a wedge to keep the door of the law open for Mr. Coham’s convenience, should the trams be discontinued or retained. Considering Cr. DeCosta’s suggestion re tram continuance and the application by Mr. Coham, I think the question of purchasing the ’buses is a strong point- in favor of keeping the trams running and at the same time opens up a possible solution to the extension of our municipal service problem. Presuming our Council find they must purchase those ’buses which come within the lawful procedure, the Council would have the means of extending the passenger system . per bus . and at .fares no other private competitor would charge. The price, of course, would be arrived at by arbitration and not the figures at present quoted. Such a price would lx? far below the cost of laying tram track, etc., to extend the system, therefore the ’bus purchase applications may be a blessing in- disguise instead of being, as many, think,, a club to threaten the Council with to compel the scrapping of the cars or buv the ’buses.—l am, yours,, etc,, * - “DUMMY MATE.”