1926-02-26 — Page 4

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6TH, 1926

CRAVENETTE" RAINCOATS.

These Raincoats are made of fully tested rainproof cloth, light in weight- yet thoroughly reliable.

They are fashionably cut giving a distinctive appearance and freedom of movement.

Stocked in useful shades of Drab, also in Navy Blue. Priced from 899.50.

WE ALLOW 10% DISCOUNT FOR CASH.

Mackintosh

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MEN'S WEAR SPECIALISTS,

Alexandra 89: Hong Kong, Des Voeux Road

THE NEW

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+

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$210.00 to $700.00

Less 10 Per Cent. Cash Discount.

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VICTOR DISTRIBUTORS.

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CABIN TRUNKS FROM $45.00

WARDROBE TRUNKS

FROM

$95.00

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WHITEAWAY LAIDLAW & CO. LTD.

We Offer Exceptionally Good Value

BRITISH MADE

TRAVELLING RUGS

Are

A New Stock of Travelling Rugs

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SIZES AND PRICES

RANGING FROM :-

60 X 80 60′ X 76 $15.95 each $16.75 each

60" X 80* 80" X 82′ $18.50 each 837.50 each

Jaeger Pure Wool Rugs.

$49.50 each $52.50 each $57.50 each

EARLY WARM BLANKETS SINGLE BED SIZE:-

$18.95, $19.75, $23.50 and $52.50 Pair. DOUBLE BED SIZE:-

$29.50, $35.50, $39.50 and 879.50 Pair. MERINO COT BLANKETS. 30 X 46 $9.95 Per Pair

WHITEAWAY, LAIDLAW & CO., LTD.

HONGKONG TRAMWAYS, LTD.

ELECTRIC TRAMWAYS v. MOTOR BUSES.

SUGGESTIONS FOR KOWLOON.

The yearly ordinary general meeting of the Hongkong Tramways was held yesterday at the offices of Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co., Ltd..

There is, of course (except from the point of view of the Highway authority) from substituting rail-free for rail-borns one improvement advantage to be derived

vehicles. The operating cancera is re- lieved of the onerous obligation of the upkeep of a largo portion of the street paving, about 15 acres of which we main- Town today. tain between Shaukiwan and Kennedy

Those present at the meeting were Mr. D. G. M. Bernard (Chairman), the Hon, Sir C. P. Chater, Kt, C.M.G., LED Rev. Fr. L. Robert, Mr. A.'H. Compton

4 propes of this, the Parliamentary and Mr. Lo Cheung Shiu (Directors), Secretary to the Ministry of Transport Mr. L. C. F. Bellamy, M.C., AMLEE., speaking in the House of Commons on November 17th last, said “The tramways M.Inst., T. (General Manager), Mr. Wunder an old Tramways Act (of 1870). F. Simmons, 4.C.1.S. (Secretary), and the following shareholders, Messrs. Ting Kwing Kwong, Lo Man Hing, Lee Coon, Ho Leung, G. W. Sewell, G. H. Wilson, J. D. Kinnaird, B. Branch, H. Ruttonjec, A. Denison, O. F. Ribeira, J. E Joseph, Frank Tustin, A. A. Alves, O. Kitchell, Sen Kom Chi and W. E. Van Epps.

The Secretary having read the notice convening the meeting,"

The CHAIRMAN, said :-Gentlemen,-It is now 21 years since the first clectric tram-car, was put into operation in Hong kong and I think the present is an op. portune time to refer briefly to tram- ways in general. Those who care for statistics may be interested to hear that our normal mileage has reached the equivalent of one tram going round the world every four days.

when horses pulled trams have to keep is a very great hardship to the trams. the middle of the roads in repair. That throughout the country, because in re- gard to damage done to the middle of the track, the upkeep of which falls on omnibuses damage not only the sides of the tramways undertakings, she, motor

the road but the middle of the road between the tramway rails as well."

This burden, however, is more than off-set by the much higher maintenance and depreciation charges in respect of motor buses-not to mention the extra

cost of power.,

This brief review would be incomplete if I failed to add that where roads are sufficiently wide the best form of urban passenger transport is undoubtedly the separate track system of tramways where a portion of the centre of the road is fenced off and the rails laid on wooden With this system we attain the three sleepers (except at stroot crossings).

greatest desiderata riz, safety, speed and, what is most important, silence.

Further, capital cost is much reduced, due to the absence of either concrete A certain section of the press at home or street paving; ordinary traffic is never has persistently attacked tramways (os impeded owing to the road being up for pecially Municipal Tramways) and in track repairs; and, finally, police traffic some towns the ory"scrap the trams "control is much simplified as a result of has been raised. In many small towns the introduction of one-way travel for where only a limited service is required all vehicular traffic on the two carriage- tramways are undoubtedly being super ways.

TRAMS. KAILLESS CAES.

seded by either railless cars (trolley. vehicles) or notor busca. The latter

کرم

EFFECTS OF THE STRIKE

on the 30th a service of 5 cars manned

are ideal for suburban, and country dis Our earnings last year were consider. tricts where the service does not warrant ably affected by the strike, which com- high capital expenditure. This is parti-menced on June 20th and for nine days? cularly the case in America where petrol of a tram left the depot. But, is cheape

Regarding large towns, however, or by Europeans in the employ of the Com rapidly growing localities which"call for a pany was commenced and this was sub- 4 or 3 minutes service, electric tram-sequently 'augmented by volunteers who ways are supreme, and I will quote two rendered excellent service and I now wish authorities in support of this assertion. to avail myself of this opportunity to

The first is Mr. Fearnley, the General Manager of the Shefeld Corporation Tramways and Motor Department. This undertaking possesses (in addition to 400 tram-cars) one of the largest Municipal | motor bus undertakings in Great Britain, Speaking at a Transport Conference at Brighton on September 10th last Mr. Fearnley said:—

**Tramways are still the premier form of street transport for the large indus. trial areas.

*No one is yet able to demonstrate anything to the contrary, and 'one's 'own daily experience proves beyond que tion the correctness of this assertion." The second is Sir George Hume, M.F., a leading member of the London County

Council.

Speaking in the House of Commons on June 25th last he said:-

|

tender our hearty thanks to all those who assisted ur during this period. In August we were able to resume a normal service, but earnings have not yet re- turned to the record level reached dur ing the last half of the year. But I feel sure shareholders will be glad to hear that ja the three days over China New Year our earnings this year amounted $19,000 which, though less than in 1925 is some $1,800 more than in the previous year.

con-

K. M. A.

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(101

HONGKONG_A.D.C.'S

GREAT PRODUCTION

"IF"

EVENING PERFORMANCES : March 2nd, 3rd, 5th & 6th at 9.15 p.m.

Thursday, 4th March, Matines only at 4.30 p.m.

BOOKING AT ANDERSON'S.

Prices

IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ROLLING STOCK. absolutely up-to-date has been

The policy of keeping the rolling stock tinued. It will be remembered that all

A new item appears in the assets this cars about the middle of 1923 had canvasar under the bead House Property top covers. During the two following This represents the value of residential

years these were gradually replaced by

a top covers. We now have gone property owned by the company, and is stage further and vestibule top covers shown separately from the general fixed are being fitted. These have become assets of the undertaking with which it

had been previously included. very popular, affording as they do com plete protection in cold and wet wea ther.

""

It will be noticed that the amount writ-

$3 $2

&

$1.

CORRESPONDENCE.

"IF:"*

N

[TO THE EDITOR OF THE HONGKONG

DAILY FRESH.");-

SIR,

presume 1 um expected to accept the letter of your correspondent on this subject, as an apology. So be it

soon learns not to expect much in As regards the question of my experi ences, which certainly seem to have aroused a lot more interest than I, as i

this part of the world.

"I venture to say that no man in his senses, who has had anything to do with municipal politics in London would dare to go to London with the ery of scrap the trams." We hear

ten off "Tramway Undertaking" has that ery from those who are articulate,

Six pews cars will be put into service been increased to 834,000. This, in addi- but not from the great mass of Lon very shortly. These will have a new type tion to the manal $22,000 against Good doner's, the workers, who knew what of truck with a long wheel-base and will, is an amount of $12,000 from cer- service the trams give to them, and I should provide very comfortable riding, tain construction costs of a capital nature for one, although I have been charged In order to secure more room for third at the inception of the undertaking which for years with having the intention of class passengers the lower saloon on the Board considers should be written off modest and retiring kind of man, care to scraping the trams, have never dream these care will be extended and the first over a period of years, ed of doing so mail a thing.”

class passenger accommodation will be limited to the upper saloon. A wider staircase will be provided and the motor man will have a small compartment all to himself.

THE LOCAL PASSENGER TRAFFIC,

one

ROAD IMPROVEMENTS.

In. 1024 while reviewing the accounts for large on them in public in such a way contemplate, it is difficult for me to en- 1993 I referred to certain taxation claims as to bring all the story vividly before made by the Inland Revenue Authorities the eyes of the public. It is seldom, in against the Hongkong Tramway Co., these prosaic times that anyone meets Ltd., the old company-in respect of with, an adventure that savours, almost, the years 1992 and 1923 (when liquidation of the days of the Magic Carpet, and our present company). Provisions were to a charge of out-doing Baron Munchau- was commenced upon the formation of naturally I hesitate to lay myself open

made for these claims which were in dis sent finued until June last when a sum of pute. Negotiations in the matter con-

In the two days immediately preceed ing China New Year, 1925, we carried a quarter of a million passengers excinaive of monthly ticket holders. Can visualise the state of the streets between,rorcing tutoriel out the Prays East

year un important road say, Garden Road and Sinceze's had we attempted to carry this number of at Bowrington Canal Bridge which was people by means of motor omnibuses? too narrow to permit of a satisfactory It would require 200 single-deck buses double track. The bridge has now been to replace 20 tram-cars and not only widened and the rails relaid with the $113,063.20 was paid in final settlement would this cause acute traffic congestion proper clearway and two footpaths added of all liability and you will see the eur but the operating costs per passenger to the bridge. The whole of the cost of would be increased by not less than this work has had to be borne by the 2300,000 per annum, which represents the company but we have the satisfaction of difference between the cost of petrol and knowing that our action in this matter electricity.

is appreciated by every class of vehicle driver who uses Braya East,

Unfortunately, very little headway has

The tram-car is a much more econo mical user of street space thann, motor- ment the L.C.C. cars move 50,000 people

hour.

plus balance of the fund set aside via $17,044.11 has been credited back to the Proft and Lora Account.

by me, however, when certain low fellows A few sympathetic friends have stood of the baser sort descended to jeering at my story which, be it noted, has been extracted from me piecemeal, and by no means with my willing consent. These friends assure me that it is actually my I do not think there is anything fumise I made previously and I am very

daty, and only in keeping with a pro ther that calls for comment and now sorry I did make it now-to give the true. beg to propose "that the Report and version of my extraordinary experience Statement of Accounts for the year ended in public. That being so I have com bus. On awet night on the Embank-} been made with the doubling of the track 31st December, 1995, be and the same. pleted all arrangements with a few of

ere hereby adopted."

affair-who by a purely fortuitous chance my comrades connected with me in this happen to be in Hongkong at present consisting of my wife and brother, the lady who might have been my wife, and others, together with the kind assistance of several more Hongkong people who are good enough to help me out owing to the great interest they take in the business.

I have arranged to hold a series of public performances at the Theatre Hoyal starting on Tuesday next at 9.15 p.m., when I shall publicly explain, with every aid that Art and Science can lend, all the experiences that followed from the a Jade Charm. The scenes vary between moment I accepted the gift from Ali of London and Persia, and to avoid appear- ing too egotistical, I have arranged some wonderful dancing and music.

Referring to this. Sir Henry Maybury, Director-General of Roads, recently said "How are you going to carry that num ber on buses if you strap the trämst Where are you going to put all the buses that would be necessary."

These cars may be a procession, but they are an orderly procession vastly dif ferent from the traffic chaos to be seen every day near, say the Bank of Eng- land.

KOWLOON TRAFFIC,

between Causeway Bay and Shaukiwan,

When this has been seconded I shali but the P.W.D. is now making progress with the cutting between Quarry Bay and be pleased to answer to the beat of my Cornhill and it is hoped to have the trams ability any questions which shareholders uning on this new road within the next may wish to ask.. few months. It will be a great relief to abandon the tortuous section of track on the seaside of the Taikoo Club where there is constant risk of collision with motor vehicles round blind corners and on a steep gradient.

NEW TERRITORY MOTOR-BUS SERVICE Twice during the year we tendered for the ezdusive right to maintain a motor On the question of Kowloon my pre-omnibus service between Mongkok (Kow, decessor at this meeting last-year said loon) and Un Long (New Territories), hut the Government propose shortly to, call on neither occasion did the Government for tenders for the exclusive right of accept any tender.. operating motor, bus service in Kow- loon. It is the intention of your direc

"THE ACCOUNTS.

OTHER BUSINESS,

Mr. A DENISOx seconded and the report and statement of accounts were 'adopted.

No questions being asked, the Chis MAN said: I now being to propose that the final dividend for the year ended December 31st, 1925, at the rate of to cents per share recommended by the Directors be and is hereby sanctioned.

Mr. B. BRANCH seconded, and the motion was carried.

Mr. D. 20. M. Bernard's appointment to the chair in the place of Mr. B. D. F. Beith was approved, and Sir Paul Chater and Sir Robert Ho Tung were re-elected as directors, on the proposition of Mr. G. W. SEWELL

Now that I have screwed myself up torn to tender for such a service," Turning now to the accounts, you will

to the pitch like this, I hope that the although it is felt that electric traction recollect that at this time last year,

public will honour in with their com by means of either cars on rails or rail-resolutions were passed increasing the

pany. If after they have heard all I have. fess trolley vehicles would be profor- nominal capital of the company to On the proposition of Mr. Ho Lerse, to say, they still think that I am t able. I endures every word of Ar, $3,250,000 by the issue to shareholders seconded by Mr. G. H. WILSON, Messrs. Jomancer--which is a much milder term Beith in this connection, and it is signi- of 325,000 additional shares of $5 each Lowe, Bingham & Matthews were re-than any I have heard used-I shall shake foant that Shanghai, Singapore and fully paid, as a capitalised bonus out of elected as auditors.s

the dust of Hongkong off my feet with Penang are all adopting railless trolley Reserve. This was daly carried into The CHAIRMAN: That is all the business no regrets, and return to where I can vehicles rather than petrol basen an effect the new scrip being issued, in of the meeting, gentlemen Dividend find a little burden appreciation. -Yours routes where tramway construction (or March last-and is set out accordingly in warrants are ready and may be obtained faithfully, re-construction) is considered too costly."

the present Balance Sheet.

on application.

JOHN BEAL.