THE MAYOR INTERVIEWED.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12145, 10 December 1908, Page 5

THE MAYOR INTERVIEWED.

| In view of the opening of the tramways to-day a " Clwftmicle " representative had an interesting chat with his Worship the Mayor last evening. " Yes," said his Worship, "it is a great relief to me, and I think to the Council as a whole, to see that the work is nearing completion. For the last few months the work on the Council, and especially the Tramway Committee has been very heavy, and the most gratifying feature has been the willingness and zeal with which the. Council has tackled < their task. We all are aware that some "of the Councillors did not. altogether approve of tho tramway proposals, but once the matter was settled by the vote of the ratepayers all loyally accepted the verdict of the people and worked their hardest to make the scheme a success. I hardly think the public will ever realise the value of the work done by the chairman of the Tramway Committee, Cr. Battle. I feel certain that during the last six months ho has devoted more time to tramway matters than he has to his own private business, and his aptitude for the work in hajid, and his knowledge of what was required, have been of the very greatest service to the Council.

" The history of the scheme? Well, I think we are <vll fairly., well familiar with that. On the people of Wanganui learning from reliable authority that an electric scheme of tramways was not beyond their reach they decided to adopt this, undoubtedly the most up-to-date: system of street traction. We had, the ■advantage of having our specifications prepared by Mr F.H. Chamberlain, whose work in Christchurch has demonstrated his . abilitj\' It was of course a great disappointment :when we found the tenders so much above his estimate. However, aided !by our engineer, Mr Cowdery, and guided entirely by his advice, we went carefully into the question of seeing What economie;s could bo effected, arid were successful in Bringing the cost of the'system with in a moderate compass, without, I believe, at all impairing its efficiency. The public will be glad to hear that, after providing for an extra car we still have a balance of ■ several^ .hundred pounds of the loan in 'hand. . " An important part of the system; in fact, tha most , important, is the track. This, I believe, has been well and faithfully laid down, and will stand all the traffic wo propose, to. put upon it. The dust nuisance has of course to be* faced. We propose to cope with this by tarring the track, a work; that is to'bc puif'in hand at once-. The "cost will not much exceed £150, and the benefit -will, be great, not merely in "keeping down dust, but in preserving the track. „ " Tho engines have /Satisfactorily passed their tests,- and provide "the ;pqwer '■^'specified, by. Mr ,'CJiiamb^rlain. The Council, .very wisely u piit over .100' tons more coh'cr<ete into the,foundation's, than the (specifications called for, -.with the result that the 'engittes^ even when working at full load,, run wi£h, practically no vibration. In fao^'Cr. Harris, who is aii acknowledged^ authority^ on gas engines^ states that jftgyhjasrv^ftyer seen engines of their, $!&$§, _ji%nii)esser.' " I feel certain that everyone will admit the cars are .ha,ndso^ie ;: and -com-, modious, a result in great part of the wido gauge we have adopted. They have been put to severe/,tests by. the Government officials, whoisare perfectly satisfied with them; one; official declaring that they are the nicest .cars'in the Dominion. We have ordered; an extra, car, and have also obtained authority from the Gbveminentijto, use trailers. These are.very inexpensive, and will enable us to cope with ;jefXtra B traffic. " Oar staff has been chosen oh the most economical lines, but I think we have to get a: thoroughly efficient one. Our engineer, Mr Talboys, is a .young New Zealandjs-ri whose', past career has shown that he; lias his heart in his work, and I -thijik un him the borough will have a zealp.^S and efficient servant. Our motormenjare all- picked men Avith plenty of previous experience. For these, of course, ■: ':-y& i have Jfiad to., go outside, Wanganui, but our. conductors are, without exception, Wanganui men-,, and I may , add -that ;wo, have throughout given 'preference';to married applicants. We have been fortunate in being able to retaift'tho/services of several of the contractors': employees, who, of course, are perfeißtly familiar with the service. !;' '■'■:■ "'.

"Of course,", added'»?.his•:■ Worship, " for the first few weeks we must expect a certain number of Irishes,'etc., until the system gets into proper going order. This is inseparable from all new systems, and ,1 know that:-,the public will be indulgent with, us in these little difficulties. . ; ,;>. ,

"Will they pay? That all depends on the public. If the .experience of other places is a criterion there, need be little cause for misapprehension on that score. Of course it■■'will take people time to get -into Ayhat; is known as the "'•tr,am habity" but as the^ realise the convenience of the system they will use it more and more. I feel certain that whatever loss there is will be amply repaid by the convenience and comfort which the system will offer, .to ..the pul> lie, and tho impetus^ and prestige -which, the system will undoubtedly give to the town. ■■~■"' ;■• '■'. ;..;.; '-. ■„■.' "■ "■■-'.•■.•", •■-•■"• With" regard to the system, I trust it will soon.J>e fqund necessary to do so. The great advantage of tho electric system-I,is that.-the. more it is extended tl^e more economically it can bo worked. I look upon an extension .-: to Castlecliff as coming in the near future, and have ■ no; doubt that wo will bo able to .aiiake rsatisfactory arrangements, with the' new Tramway Board that is to be elected to-morrow. ,liiV; ths meantimo / we> are,-; negotiating with the Ciastlficliff Railway Company: to run through trips to C'astlecliff at a low rate and at frequent intervals. Of course our system and theirs practically join, and wo can, I;think, make arrangements that will, enable the public to reach tho seaside with ease and.comfort

" A message to the citizens? Well,, all I can say is that I- think wo haye a valuable asset, and that if.'they dp their part and patronise the system it will be .a payable asset too.'.'

TIME-TABLED v - -V iJ > The following time-table ;has-f.fepen .drawn up. It will \m adhered--to,M-',a week; when it will be altered as ox-' perience. may prove necessary :— WANGANUI TO ARAMOHO. Leave via -Dublin Arrive* shed Street. - Aramoho. a.m., - . a.m. . 6.50 7.7 7.5 799 7.30 ....:...; 7^47 7.50 :;;.... 8.7 8.10- 8 27

8.30 8.47 8.50 9.7 9.10 9.27 9.30 9.47 9.50 10.7 10.10 10.27 10.30 .- 10.47 10.50 :....- 11.7 11.10 11.27 11.30 11.47 11.50 ~ 12.7 P-m. p.m. 12.10 : 12.27 12.30 12.47 12.50 1.7 1.10 1.27 1.30 1.47 i 1.50 ~ 2.7 2.10 2.27 2.30 ~ 2.47 2.50 3.7 3.10 , 3.27 3.30 3.47 3.50 :;.. 4.7 4.10 4.27 4.30 4.47 4.50 5.7 5.10 : 5.27 5.30 i-.Tt 5.47 5.50 6.7 (5.10 6.27 6.30 ,:. 6.47 6.50 7.7 7.10 7.27 7.30 7.47 7.50 .....;... 8.7 8.10 8.27 8.30 :... 8.47 8.50- :.' ; 9.7 9.10 9.27 9.30 9.47 - 9.50 ..: ... v . 10.7 Lcavo via Glasgow Arrive shed. Street. Aramoho. a.m. a.m. 7.0 7.17 7.20 ; 7.37 7.40 7.57 8.0 ~; 8.17 8.20 8.37 8.40 8.57 9.0 ....:... 9.17 9.20 9.37 9.40 9.57 10.0 10.17 10.20 10.37 • 10.40 10.57 11.0 11.17 11.20 11.37 11.40 ...:. 11.57 p-m- ' . p.m. 12.0 ..:.,. 12.17 12.20 ; :.... 12.37 12.40 ■-:....- : 12.57 1.0 1.17 1.20 1.37 . l."40 '........... .......r 1.57 2.0 2.17 2.20 2.37 : 2.40 2.57 3.0 ......: - 3.17 3.20 ........... 3.37 3.40 3.57 4.0 4.17 4.20 ..... 4.37 4.40 4.57 5.0 ...:........... ...... 5.17 5.20 5.37 . 5.40 :■• 5.57 6.0 6.17 , 6.20 .;...,...: 6.37 6.40 ..-.' 6.57/ ■ 7.0 7.17 ; 7.20 ..;.: ~..— 7.37 7.40 .- 7.57 8.0 • "..... 8.17 8.20 ''-. 8.37 . 8.40 i—. 8.57 • 9.0 -.: 9.17 .. 9.20 .....1..... ...- 9.37 9.40 • 9-57 10.0 10.17 Leave via, Dublin . Arrive shed Street Heads Stn. a.m. a.m. .7.10 .- 7.27 •7.30 ~„.-. •• 7.47 . 7.-50 • 8./_ nB.IO -' 8.2^ - *■■■■ 8.30 BJ/ 8.50- : ?7_ 9.30 ....:;..,..:,,.,.- ; 9.4/ ~:...;.......,... 10.7 10.10 • 10.27 i 10.30 ..;::.V......:......:..:.'...; 10.47 10.50 1,... •• V ;.. 11-7 ■■: llilO .....:.v..... ..,...,.: U. 2/;; 11.30 ; ............:.;...:. il.4r ll;50 ;,.,,..-.... ;-12,7 :; _-,: p.m. -. . ; ' P-m- :^' 12.10 .^........ v .... ; ,..,.. 12.27 12.30 12.4r - . 12.50 ; ■ 1,7 - 1.10 1-27 1.30 ■ * ...i;.....,.:V r ..;y ; -M 7., <. fJ ■■■ -ISO1-- - gskM 2:la 2-27 '■■ 2:30 ...:.<■■ <;■..-."./-■i.-s-i-..'.;;-i .■i:2dt.-i-o> - 2:50 .^.>.,W3,£ 4.10; ..<■ '4^27^ ■: .4.30 ...........4.47 . -4:.50; •■...^■.;..:.v,..-.;,. i .; ;.i,^5 : i7.-\. 5:10 ? .. : ;...>rf.2/ 0.00 ~..? ~,•:■,; .6.7 6.10 .;:„..;:..:;.-..:::■ 6;27v : 6.30 .•...;..:>. :..:...:i:>:.:^. .. v &4< .•■■■■. . 0.50 :■ :..: 7.7 : 7.10^ ," •••" 7.27 7.30 ..i.:.......^........^.V.... 7.47 7.50 8,7 8.10 : 8.27 8.30 8.47 8.50 ..,..;.....-..... 9.7 9.10 9.27 "... 9.30 .....;....:. : 9.47 9.50 10.7 10.10 1.. 10-27 Leave via Glasgow Arrive Aramoho Street. • Heads Stn. a.m. a.m. 7.20 7.37 '7.40 ••• 7.57 8.0 .....' 8.17 8.20 8.37 -■'■■■■ 8.40 ........... ..;.:....... "8.57 ' " 9.0 .:-....:. ...^ 9:17 ' ' 9.20 :. 9.37 • 9.40 v ....... 9.57 io.a - 10.17 10.20 :.....::..., :.;:.....:. 10.37 10.40 ..: 10.57 li.Of* .......:.V ;....:;.. ii.l 7 11.20 ............................ 11.37 11.40 11.57 . p.m. . p.m. 12.1) 12.17 12.20 12.37 12.40 12.57 1.0 1.17 L2O ..........: ..;......:.. 1.37 1,40 ■■ 1.57 2.0 ........:...: ; ....2.17 2.20 ~. ..:v....... 2.37 2.40 .'......:..........r.:...... . 2.57:: - 3.0 ...3.17 / 3.20 ■" .v.;.. ...:.i..:,.,:.;.......r. 3.37 '^.''%o-'^.:':::.. ...,.■;':;;:....;.;.: '-^3,57^ '-■ ".::::...;.;:..;:. vv:...--;--#.ir------4.20 4.37 4.40 4.57 5.Q 5.17 -5.20 5.37 5.40 5.57 6.0 (3.17 6.20 , 6.37 6.40 6.57 ; 7.0 7.17 7.20 7.37 7.40 7.57 . 8.0 8.17 8.20 8.37 8.40 8.57 9.0 9.17 . 9.20 9.37 9.40 9.57 10.0 f0.17 10.20 10.37