1934-07-09 — Page 7

THE CHINA MAIL, MONDAY, JULY' 9, 1934.

PEAK TRAMWAY EXTENSION TO QUEEN'S ROAD URGED BY PUBLIC

PUBLIC

MISLED

Tram Manager Denies Rumours

FLAT DEVELOPMENT IN ABEYANCE.

GOVERNMENT TO BE

PETITIONED

The present Penic Tram lower station, situated 1,000 feet above sea level,“ entalling considerable Yu- convenience to local re-

PROJECT WILL NOT STOP sidents and tourists, and

PRESENT SERVICE

which has been altuated In Garden Road for 45 years. The new viaduct

SCHEDULE WOULD BE MAINTAINED scheme proposed, in the

SPEED

BY INCREASE IN

milltary eventuality of permission being grant-

will extend to Queen's Road, terminating_out-

́side the officers' Megs st

TO create a need in 1888 that did not exist required, When seen by a representative ed both courage and confidence, and the enter of the "China Mail,” this morn- ing, Mr. D. E. Clark, General Man-prise of the Peak Tramway Company deserves a ager of the Peak Tramways Com- better fate than it is receiving to-day. Through the pany Limited, expressed amaze- objection of the military authorities to any part of ment at the article which appear their property in Garden Road being encroached

ed in a morning contemporary re- garding the proposed plan for ex- tending the Peak Tram down to Queen's Road, entitled "Hope

Dashed?"

Mr. Clark stated yesterday that he distinctly informed the newspaper in question, in response lo an en- quiry from them over the tele- phone, that the full page article published in "The Sunday Herald" was prepared in consultation with

the foot of Garden Road.

on, patrons of the tramway have been forced to Officers And walk, or take a chair or taxi to the lower terminus situated 1,000 feet above sea level. The result is

obvious in view of the new motor road to the Peak, and the profits of the Company have decreased $18,000 in three years.

The many prominent residents of the Colony already interviewed have all expressed the opinion that the extension of the tramway to Garden Road, as suggested in the "China Mail" 46 years ago, the officials of the Peak Tram would be a long awaited need in Hong Kong, and ways Company and that the pro- position was in accord with the that to secure an extension a petition to His Excel- desires and hopes of the Com-lency the Governor should be made without delay. -pany, also that the plans for a

TECHNICAL ADVICE STATES THAT NO INTERRUP- building on the site of the present TION IN THE SERVICE WOULD BE NECESSARY DURING lower station (which is not to be

THE CHANGE. AND THAT THE SPEED OF THE TRAMS Four storeys high) are only ten- talive, and that they will now be COULD BE INCREASED IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THE pre- held in abeyance until the result SENT SERVICE. of the present agitation is known.

P.R.A. HEAD SPEAKS Mr. Cassidy No! Optimistic

SOUND FINANCIAL PROPOSITION

As a prominent resident the Peak and a regular user

The cost of the proposed project, which has not yet been estim. aled, is of course a big factor in the scheme, but the knowledge that Sir Elly Kadenrie, the biggest shareholder in the Company is In favour of the extension, is sufficient to urge all residents who have the interests of the Colony at heart to make a firm stand by what may be termed an essential proposition.

Wives on Peak

Favourable

Residents On Mount Austin

FEAR OF PNEUMONIA IN CHANGE OF CLIME IN HOT WEATHER

It is more than probable that if the decision with re- gard to the extension of the Peak Tramway to the Queen's Road level rested with the military officers and their families who re side on Mt. Austin, instead of with the War Office in London or the local Military Head-quarters, the dißcul- Lies now faced would be much more readily over-

come.

•

CORRESPONDENCE. Engineering

Feat Takes

Sir-

THE PEAK TRAM.

[To the Editor, "China MaiL"]

In these days of financial stress, it is not a small matter for one who resides on the Peak to have to pay 50 cents for a taxi or even 20 cents for a sedan chair re- gularly twice a day in order to get to the Peak Tram Station.

What a convenience it would be if one could step onto the Peak And what Tram at Queen's Road! a saving of needless expensel

Here's hoping the suggestion of]

made by the 10 years ago, China Mall, may soon be realized.

I am, ECONOMICAL.

+

TECHNICAL VIEW NO DIFFICULTY IN LENGTHENING

TRACK ITSELF

[CAR PASSING PLACE ALTERATION

THE advantages to the general THE

public of extending the pre-

sent track of the Peak Tramway to the bottom of Garden Road ́ars self evident.

From an engineering point of

view the scheme presents no great difficulty, though it would involve one or two minor problems which possibly do not occur, at first

33 Months sight, to the layman.

Government Control Speed Of Tram

THE MARGIN OF SAFETY IS CONSIDERED TO

BE VERY HIGH

The original Peak Tram- way

commenced

in September 1885, and was off- cially opened in June 1888. The length of this gigantic en-

of 1,207 feet. The steepest

The lengthening of the track it- self presents no difficulty other than that of obtaining the neces sily strip of land between the boundary wall of Garden Road and military buildings behind it, which is wide enough for the purpose.

The fact that this strip of land. is War Department property has: been the stumbling block to the

gineering feat was, as it is now, scheme no each and every oc 4,690 feet, with a vertical height casion when the Peak Tramway gradient is 1 in 2, and the easiest Co., has applied for permission to gradient 1 in 25. The trackway make the extension which was is of steel, laid on steel sleepers

ALL-ROUND SUPPORT URGED. set in concrete, and is very much first done many years ago.

the same to-day as when it was originally laid.

Sir,-

To the Editor "China Ma!L"]

IF MILITARY

REFUSE GRANT be expressed in to-morrow'n China they have remarked on the incon columna

TO TRAMWAY Mail:

could

A considerable alteration has,

Loop Alteration

The most considerable part of

It is with great pleasure that I however, been made in the equip-the work would be in connection note that you are making the Peak ment, the present cars being much with the alteration of the position Tramway extension to Queen's larger and more commodious than

of the loop where the cars pass It is evident that the military Road one of the features of your

the original installation.

The old Ruston Hornsby com-each other... people who reside on the Peak 90th Anniversary celebrations. The following prominent rest-

pound horizontal steam engines ¡And it just as difficult to get up to If by your editorial pen, or by with Babcock Wilcox multitubular As the line would be aproxi dents have been Interviewed, among the tram station as the civilian re-the pens of others, your valued boilers many others, and their views will sidents on

were scrapped in 1926, mately 1,000 feet longer it would the Peak. Frequently

arouse sufficient after 38 year's service.

be necessary to bring the passing venience of climbing up the hill, public spirit to bring pressure to

bear upon the Military authorities't

place 500 feet lower down the especially in unfavourable wes-

to get them to give up the requir- There is a large margin of ther.

ed narrow strip of military pro-safety in the running of the tram-track to a position between May

The starting pull on a fully Road and Bowen Road Stations. One high military officer, who perty, you would, indeed, being do-way. was stationed on Mt. Austin ba-ing a real public service for this loaded car at the steepest gradient{

This would necessitate the re is only 71⁄2 tons, which is far less fore his departure from the Colony Colony. some months ago, said that one The many loyal readers of the than the actual dead weight of the building and widening of May of the things he most regretted oldest established newspaper in

Road bridge and the elimination, about leaving Hong Kong was the Far East will lead every sup-breaking strain of 42 tont, or al-or partial elimination, of the con- having to leave the Peak Tram, port. I feel quite sure,

MR. C. C. KNIGHT,

of Butterfield & Swire, Ltd.

of Mr. Felix Joseph Offers MR. G. G. N. TINSON,

of

the Peak Tram. Mr. P. S. Cassi-

dy, former President of the Peak

New Suggestion

of Johnson, Stokes & Master. MR. N. M. CURRIE,

of Gibb, Livingston & Co., Ltd.

Residents' Association and part- TRACK OVER SIDEWALK IN MR. WALLACE J. HANSEN,

ner in Messrs. John D. Hutchison

& Company, received the idea of

the extension with enthusiasm.

the although he told

China

Mail that he was pessimistic re-

GARDEN ROAD

Escalator In Queen's Road

of John Manners & Co. MR. J. E. SALMON,

of Sir Elly Kadoorie & Sons. MR. P. ORTLEPP,

of Bornemann & Co.

When Mr. Felix A. Joseph, the MR. C. I. COOKE, garding the possibility of the well-known and popular land- MR. J. FINLAY MILLER, Company ever obtaining permis owner, was told by a representa- slon to encroach on the Military tive of the China Mail that many property in Garden Road.

who had been approached said

walk

extend

Mr. Cassidy thought it would be that they feared it was an im- SHIPPING MAGNATE a great boon to all Peak residents, possible proposition to especially in the summer time, the tram to Queen's Road, he re- from plled that he did not feel that Queen's Road, either up Battery the difficulties wtre insurmount Path or Garden Road, entailed con-able by any means. siderable inconvenience.

when the

present

He said he thought it was doubt- He thought that from a financial ful if the Military Authorities point of view the Company would would give their consent to the

be amply repaid for their outlay running of the tram line entirely on the extension work, both with over their ground, but that ho

ENTHUSIASTIC

Mr. Williamson Will Lend All Support

"THE SOUNDEST SCHEME"

Mr. S. T. Williamson, of Wi-

of the

which he considered "une Anest Httle railways in the world, 80 prompt in service and so well maintained, and so convenient for use, affording such magnificent views of the harbour." But he

went on to say that the one great Sir,

disadvantage was the unfortunate

PRO BONO PUBLICO.

ADVANTAGE TO VISITORS

'To the Editor, "China Mail") `

One would think

Safety-Factor

car itself. The 8 inch circum- ference steel wire cable bas A

most six times the maximum dead weight load.

cavity in the profile of the track The maximum speed allowed is between these two points. : 12 miles per hour, after which

an automatic cut-out comes into

No alterations would be neces-

operation in the Ward Leonard sary in connection with the haulage

Control gear, which stops the

that the train. This control can be alter-gear, other than the substitution of position of the lower terminus, Government-officials in This Colony ed, but the maximum speed is set longer, ropes, as the possible adop- which made it necessary for one would desire to make the Peak by the Government.

is on the tion of the scheme at some future The normal braking to be drenched with perspiration Tram as accessible as possible, es- while getting up the hill and in pecially for the sake of tourists winding gear, also incorporated in date was taken into account when danger of contracting pneumonia and other visitors, who should be the control equipment, but in the the new electric haulage plant wai

event of emergencies the cara ́are when reaching cooler air on the encouraged to see the beauties of fitted with brakes which operate installed in 1926.

Peak.

our harbour from the various points of vantage along the Peak on the special rail. tram line.

WIDELY SIGNED tourists fail to see the best views,

PETITION

It is a great pily that almost all

simply because of the difficulty of getting up to the Lower Station.

If the station were at Queen's

visiter to Hong Kong and thou sands of residents would go up to hindered the Peak, who now are

TWO DIRECTORS. INTERVIEWED

MR. FRANK AUSTIN Road, it is probable that every PROJECT COST NOT

INTERVIEWED

Mr. Frank Austin. Manager of by the steep climb up Garden Messra, B. J. David & Company, Road, He offered the China Mail the who resides at the Peak Hotel

Yours,

HONG KONG ENTHUSIAST.

AVAILABLE

Yesterday Mr. J. Scott Hara-

Although the complete details of the proposal have yet to be worked out it is safe to say that the project could be carried out and the extension brought into operation without any interruption

of the service.

for

increased traffic from Peak resi-thought it would perhaps be poliamson & Company, Douglas La dents, who, to save the walk to the able to get their permission to run tram station, journey to the Peuk the track along the top of their praick & Company and Manager by motor car or taxi, and even wall, extending partly over the of the Douglas Steamship Com- more from the people in transit military property and partly over pany, who has been for many through the Colony,

the side-walk down Garden Road.

He added that, even if the Mill. years a prominent resident on Benefit From Tourists

tary Authorities refused altogether,, the Peak, is another supporter The benefit from tourists, het would be quite possible to run of the suggestion that the Peak thought, would not come so much the track wholly over the alde Tramway be extended to Queen's

ton, a Director of the Peak Tram-the travelling public, he hoped it from organised parties, who at walk, making a shelter from the Road Central.

way, urged that the question of would be possible to secure. the present are often taken up on the sun and the rain for pedestrians,

the the extension of the track to necessary permafasion from tram. but from the casual passers boon so much appreciated as in

Queen's Road should be taken up Military And,

Government who now frequently does not see the case of the verandahs over the suggestion that, provided the dif-expressed very hearty sympathy

with the War Office. To-day two jauthorities on reasonable terms. the tram station, and even if he sidewalks in front of most of the ficulty with the Miliary authori-with the proposition to extend does know of it, ia discouragedį byļbusiness houses in the Colony.

other Directors of the Company. The Hon. C. Gordon Mackie ties could be overcome, the the Peak Tramway. He told the

give their opinions. the thought of walking up to it.

Another Director of the Peak Mr. Joseph admitted that the soundest scheme would be to run China Mail he fully realised.

Tramways Company who ex Mr. Cassidy viewed the mat station at the torminus would the tram straight down, from its the obstacles to be met and over-

As a Director of the Fank Tram- pressed very hearty approval of ler of negotiations with the thereby be some 15 feet above road present station to Queen's Read, come, especially with regard to

An American tourist once asked Military authorities as a very level, but the provision of an through what is now the border of the Military authorities in Lon-

don but, was thoroughly convin- Mr. C. B. Buyers, the former Ways Company, Mr. A. B. Stewart the extension proposal was the Gordon Mackie, princf real hindrance. This has

escalator would remedy the slight the military property.

the rope w

Company, Ltd., told the China pal of Messra. Mackinnon, Mac always been the stumbling drawback.

This might mean removing a porced that everything possible Superlatendent, when the rope was of Messrs, Jardine, Matheson & on. C. block to the extension of the In conclusion, Mr. Joseph, how-

tion of the Detention Barracks, should be done to secure this changed.

Mr. Buyers: The day before It Mail that he was very keenly kenzie & Co.

interested in the extension pro He told the "China Mail"? that. scheme in the past, and he

breaks. ever, expressed the opinion that which is next to the tram atation, very great convenience and long-

{felt need. does not think it likely that the large outlay required on the but this, however, would not be a

American; In Amserian we always pokal and hoped it might at last he heartily agreed with what be accomplished, after being talk-others had said in interviews in Mr. Austin referred to the vari part of the Peak Tramways Com-difficult proposition.

jed of for so many years, r. regard to the unanimous opinion: The difficulty, he explained, pany would hardly be justided by

It would, he thought, be a great one, attempts which have been change it the day after it breaks,

Stewart said that opinion is un-that the extension of the tram line would not come so much from the the probable limited increase in boon to all Peak residents to be made in the past, all of which have able to come right into the centre been turned down by the Military.

doubtedly unanimous on the part down to Queen's" Road · la most

the dimcully can be overcome,

local military, headquarters, but income.

from the people at Home, who are yo

well-known as hard to move to

matters of this nature,,

HEARD ON TRAM,

Mr. A. B. Stewart "

jof the town, or, vice versa, to start He thinks the proper method of ter with the War Offps in London, of all residents of the Colony that desirable and that it should be

their upward journey from the procedure would be to make a „Mr. Austin said, that he thought it is a most desirable thing, inccomplished if at all possible. fat, an easy journey along Queen's widely kigned Appeal to H. E, The all Peak, residents would bej Like other Directors Interviewed,) Mr. Mackie unid that during his It is on the up-journey that Mr. weather, particularly in the morn-Road replacing the climb, either by Governor, antting forth the advan-unanimous, in their approval, and Mr. Stewart said that no agures more than, 34 years of residence in Cassidy, think the main benefit of ing, although they find it. not foot or chair, up Battery Path tages of the proposed pla and re- that vary many residents on the were available at present regard the Colony, the proposat has been, ike extension; would - He, Manylaltogether convenient when there Mr. Williamson will be a hearty anneling him to sand

lower levels, and in Kowison would ing the stimated cost of the pro-frequently brought forward, and Paak dwellers enjoy their walk is a downpour of rain or when the supporter of any move that is made datio in the Secr

be glad also to me the Pink Tram ject, but as such development that he would be very glad it it. to extend the tram down the hill: the Colonien, for

ay, schended to. Queen's, Ros down Battery Path in pleasant humidity is bigh."

would be a great convénience to met with success this time.