The evening times., 1900-04-04

Consul General Stowe. at Cape Town.
makes a report to The state Department
on the subject of street railways in that
region. He says:
The street railways Of Cape Town have
a track mileage Of twenty miles; the
erployes number 800 men, and fifteen
single-deck motor cars thirty-two dou-
ble-deck. and eight trailer cars are in
use. The lines run to the suburbs and
are 10 be extended TO the docks. The ears
are all made In America; tha siugle-deck
ers have large platforms in froat and
rear with roOmy seats for the accommo-
dation Of smokers. 'Trailers' topeu earsD.
with seats running crosswise. are attach
ed TO the dOuble-decEers morning and
evening to accommodate the increased tra5-
hc. All the cars, except the trailers. have
a middle aisle. with seats on each side
holding two parsons. The uphoIstering
Of the seats is In cane and is always neat
and the color CO the car (yelIoW) Is kept
bright and fresh. As the English people
are kind to the blacks. 10 distinction is
made on the cars. New cars have bcra
lately ordered from the United States to
serve the increasing population caused by
the exodus Of the refugees from the Trans
vaal and the large number OF soldiers ia
the city. who, az half price, are good pat
rons when OF duty OF riding to and from
the various camps. As most of the mer-
chants. clerks. and Government officials
live out Of the city proper, the tram lines
are well patronized. No passes or free
tickets are furnished
Outside of the Philippines. the consul
says BE- cannot hear Of a city that has a
larger proportion Of Malays than in Cape
Town. .'hey take great pleasure In riding
on the tram lines particularly on SATURDAYS
and Sundays. days that this class OF the
population devC,e to pleasure; principally
to piCnics and dshing.
The lines in Cape Town and Port Eliza
beth are owned by an English company.
They were built by American mechanics.
are now managed 5y Americans. and are a
source Of revenue 10 American manufact-
urers. ss supplies collie from the United
States, There are no h=tter built lines Ia
the world. but" says the Consul General
Il regret TO say mat the very superior
posts tiron) for the conveyance Of the
wires come from England The Port Eliza
beth system consists OF eleven miles Of
track, the employees number 100. and there
are IN use Twelve slngle-deck. six double
decE, and TWO trailer cars. Permission has
been granted by the Cspe Government to a
company tMill's SyudiCatel TO construct a
line Of electric road from Cape Town "a
Ramps Bay. IL viii pass along the sea
road. a fine drive Orders for material
etc, will begin 20 be placed about March
In Kimberley. one horse ears stiII run and
the distance covered by the lire is about
eight miles. After the war. the power will
undoubtedly be changed 20 electricity
At johannesburg. the same style OF
cars Is used as at Kimberley. the Govern
ment having refused to grant concessions
for the building or the electric line. for the
reason that the farmers would lose the
sale Of forage (oat straw. Even the bicy-
Gle is objected TO for the same reason. and
heavy tax Is placed on IT,
In East London. there have recently
been constructed about FIVE miles Of elec-
trio tram lines Only three cars are in
use at present; but the number will be IN
creased. The line was constructed by Jo-
hannesburg parties, the motor cars and
plant by English and American builders
The line will be opened to the public about
February l. and would have been in opera
tiOn some time ago had not delay occur
red in delivery OF cars by American max
ers. The substitution OF electric cars FOR
the horse cars in Durham is soon expected
Bids for construction and material are
published