The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1956)(about) |
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Thursday 17 July 1919
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NO NIGHT TRAMS,
FEWER THEATRE PATRONS. MORE RAILWAY PASSENGERS.
There were no cable trams running in Melbourne last evening, this being the first stoppage of Hie hind for a period of nearly thirty-four yens. Tlie suburban electric trams, with the exception of those on the St. Kilda-Brighton line, also begarr their last journey tit 7 o'clock last evening, so that a new and unpleasant experience is opening up before those residents of Hie suburbs "who have" been nrcustomed lo rely upon the trams for transport, and are be- yond reasonable walking distance of railway
stations.
The fiifl effects of the restricted travel- ling facilities are obvious, but some days must of necessity elapse before the full pres- sure of the inconvenience is Jolt. The scene in Hie street» last night was an elo- quent reminder of the presence in the com- munity of acute industrial strife. When the eui. had completed their lust journcys nn'unwontcd quiet fell upon the city thoroughfares. Theatres, picture shows, and temperance bars alone suved the streets from Hie appearance of midnight.
Some suburbs, of course, will suffer more than others from the withdrawal of the trams. Certain residents of Brunswick nnd other districts, for instance, will bo cut off from communication with the city after the last train leaves shortly after.7 o'clock, as well as on Sunday, unless, of course, u long walk in the biting air of a midwinter night has no terrors for them. Whether un alter- native means of transport to trams and trains will be boin of the necessities of the situation, and prove -adequate to-cope with portion of the night traffic, has yet to be demonstrated. Churs-n-hnncs mid othor vehicles in unwonted numbers were piling for hire last night, und Melbourne may'vit lies a repetition of the street scenes in Syd- ney two years ago, when a reduced tram service brought to light conveyances dis-Help fix this text! carded as too old and useless, and drawn by aged animals, to whom the same remark ap- plied. Snell rough and ready services from suburbs situated like Annandale and Leich- hardt reaped a rich harvest.
Some of the localities served by the Prnhrair-Mulvern Tramways Trust arc rather remote from railway stations. Since the first line was opened along High street to Wnttlctroe roud in May, 11)10, Hie trust luiB catered for ti whole collection of sub-
urbs. The night truffle on this system ap- pears lo consist nlmost entirely of those in search of amusement, as the number of passengers is greatest shortly before 8
o'clock aird between 10 o'clock and half past 11. Residents of Deepdene, Camber- well, and Kew will be rather awkwardly situated for journeys to the city at night or on Sundays. Surrey Hills and Canter- bury stations should meet the requirements of Mont Albert and Balwyn, and ? between jle Deepdene and Balwyn, travellers, it. is ex;
pceted, will walk to either Balwyn or'Deep- dene, on the outer circle. Residents on Malvern road will have' Gardiner station orr Hie one bund and Toorak station on the other. Similarlj- people living, near High street will have their choice between Glen Iris and Armadale stations. Darling station will be the nearest to the Burke road terminus at Wattletrce road and along Burke road to Tooronga road the Caulfield line is not far away, and the Malvern sta- tion will be conveniently situated for many here. The Darling road terminus ¡B onl}* a mile from the Caulfield station. Residents in Hie vicinity of Bnlacluva junction are within Xi mile of Malvern station, and those living farther down uro within n mile or n lillie more of Balaclava station.
The effect of the restrictions on retail business on Kridny nights is a mutter of speculation,, but city shopping musí, of course, stiller. In fact, one large linn lins gone so fnr as to announce that it will close on Friday evening. Un Hie other hand, a number, of shopkeepers in busy suburban centres are looking forward lo doing rather better- business thnn usual on Friday night, mid. in any,event, lire volume of trade irr tlie suburbs is not likely to be diminished by the tram restrictions.
No alteration has so far been arranged regarding Hie city church services. It is not anticipated thnt with the present ser-, vice ol' suburban trains on .Sunday .morn- ing the congregations at the morning ser- vices will.be much uilcctcd, although the lnst iiitlticnzu wave has had nn approei * able effect on the attendances. There
may. of course,*bo a different talc to tell regarding the evening services, but it does not appear likely that any altération will be made of next Sunday's services, which will, of course,'serve us-au^ndex to futuro action. ? ,. i'!ji~
It is officially.announced thnt the, hours of working Twill lie impartially divided among all employees on the tramways: There- will be no dismissals, and, us far as the men's wages bill is concerned, the bad effects ol flic curtailment of the service will be minimised. ' In pursuance of thrs plan men who are due for their annual leave will be allowed to take it now. The trams on the St. Kudu-Brighton and Sand ringliam-Blnck.Roek line will run as usual until Sunday, when'lue services will bo cancelled. Un Monday they will fall into lino with .Hie other tram services and cease running at 7 p.m.
Although there will bo no alteration in Hie suburban train service until Sunday, the stoppage of the trams last night was reflected in the attendances at The city then tres, which were nppieer'nblv reduced, and inirgivings are held us to "what the future may hold. The company at His Majesty's includes a large number'of girls, and these arc being sent to their homes bv the management in tuxi-eubs. Inquiries n't the .Flinders street stntion showed. Hurt
HieVbookings last night from the suburbs to ... the city lind increased by about 20 per to
ceut.
last Cars.
Until further notice last enrs will on week days lenvo the respective termini as follows, the 'liest time being Hint of de- parture from the suburban terminus and
Hie second thnt of departure from the city
terminus:
airecr,.u.in, t.2; union rilli, u.si, 7.1; .Nicholson
street, «MO, 7.S; IlrunTOÍck, (¡.Al, 7.2; Carlton, 0.31, 7.1; 1'rahrnn, 0.31, 7,0; Toorak, 0.2(1, 7.1; North-Carlton, 0.12, 7.4; Esplanade, 0.20, 7.1; Windsor, 7.21, 7.311; St» Kilda, 0.31, 7.4; North Melbourne, 0.40, 7.2; West Melbourne, 0.45, 7.1; South Melbourne, 0.ÜS, 7.3; Port Melbourne, 0.30,
7.1. '
. Parliament Sits * in Daytime. .
In the House of Representatives j*cster day tile acting leader of the Douse (Mr. rliroom) moved that Hie House Bhould mt to-day ut 11 o'clock, instead of al half-past 2 o'clock in the after-noon. Ile did so, he said, because of tho restrictions on Hie trams and trains, nnd because interstate members lind intimated n desire to return
to their homes in time for peace celebra- A lions on Friday and Saturday. I f\f
The motion was agreed to after some dis- A "J cushion. ' ' I*»
. REGULATIONS ISSUED.' ' {¡S
War Precautions Act Invoked... The federal.' Executive Council «hin con- ferred upon Hie Coal Board, under the "War J'rei'tiiitionii Act, power to impose restric- tion.-!, subject to such conditions and limita- tions ns it thinks lit, on tire running of.oler trie, steam, or'cable trams or trains, except those which arc the property of a State. It mny restrict the' number of the' trams or trains which may lie inn, or the times within which tlicy may be run. nnd ils rc nlrictions mny apply to the whole of the Commonwealth or to any part of it. Any person, firm, orcompnny who, or which, dis- regards ¡ti) order will be guilty of an offence under the act.
In pursuance of Ihcin. nower», a notice was issued irr c special "Gn-zette" last night prohibiting the running on and after July 16, ot electric and cable trains, other than State-owned (a) on Sundays, nnd (b) on week days on nnv trip commencing from n terminus after 7 p.m. 'Diese restrictions apply within 15 milcB from Die Melbourne .ll.l'.O., ami 10
miles from the pest-ofliecs at Hnllarnt, Ben-1
digo, and Geelong. part