West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), Monday 10 November 1952, page 6


CIVIC FAREWELL FOR PORT'S LAST TRAM With a "passenger list" consisting of Fremantle and East Fremantle councillors and their wives, members past and present of the Tramways Boad and old employees, local M's.L.A. and six "real" passengers, the Mayor of Fremantle (Mr. W. F. Samson) drove Fremantle's last tram on Saturday night.

* The picture shows Mr. Samson (right) at the con trols with his wife and the chairman of the Tramways Board (Sir Frank Gibson, M.L.C.) on the driving plat form. One of the passengers was Mr. John Cooke, a former Mayor. After having had only five minutes' tuition during the day, Mr. Samson rook over the controls from the driver. Mr. D. J. Hambly. A well-known councillor officiated for the conductor, Mr. Don Wilkes. With its warning bell clanging and its "stop" bell

buzzing, tram No. 32 rattled on its last journey along Adelaide-street to the inter section with High-areet. Amid calls of advice and caution, the Mayor, whose mother drove the first tram 47 years ago brought lit tram to a bait outside the Fremantle Town Hall A late crowd quickly gath ered to watch a gay cee many touched with a cer tain sadness, for the growth of the tramways was linked with the history of the port. From yesterday, all trans port services in Fremantle are now operated by buses