The things you find when you are not looking.

Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Tuesday 30 September 1890, page 10
------------------------------

THE SANDHURST AND EAGLEHAWK ELECTRIC TRAMWAY.

A special meeting of the shareholders m the Sandhurst and Eaglehawk
Electric Tramway Company was held yesterday at Phair's Hotel, Collins
street, Mr. & G. Crespin presided, and there was a largeattendance.

THE CHAIRMAN said it was a matter of very great regret to the directors
that they had been obliged to call that meeting. It wasnow some 94 days
since first operations were commenced on the line, and the running had been
far from satisfactory. The directors felt aggrieved at the system adopted,
feeling it was not a success, and orders had been sent to England and every
effort made to obtain the best system. Several systems had been under
consideration. The overhead system had been desired, but the local council
did not approve of this, and there-fore the company had had to adopt the
accumulator system. It was not necessary for him to say that up to the
present the latter system had been a failure. Some two or three weeks ago a
number of questions were submitted to the engineers, and the answers given
by those gentlemen had been the cause 0f the directors stopping operations
and calling that meeting together. They were only able to travel at an
average speed of six miles an hour, and were losing money on the concern.
There was no fault to be found as to the possibilities of traffic or the
construction of the permanent way. The fault was in the method of the
application of the motive power. It was no use going on with the present
system, and the sooner they stopped the better. The directors now asked
that meeting to decide as to the future course of action.

The Secretary laid before the meeting a number of proposals submitted by
various electric companies for supplying motive power for the running of
the line.

THE CHAIRMAN, in answer to Mr Fink, said that the Brush Electric Company
had guaranteed to supply efficient plant, and the directors were taking
steps for formulating a claim for damages against that company.

Mr WOODS, M.L.A, said they ought to consider whether the engineers were
worthy of their confidence.

Tue CHAIRMAN said it was desirable that a committee of shareholders should
be appointed to consider the various proposals as to the mode of carrying
on the line, and report at a future meeting.

Mr CARNET moved that Messrs. Fink, Woods, Ashford and Renwick be appointed
committee to confer with the directors. Mr. Crespin was the only man among
the pro-moters who had stuck to the concern through thick and thin.

The resolution was carried, and the meeting terminated

--
Greetings and Best Wishes,
David in Avenel.au (preferring newspapers over the digital world)
{Before you change anything, learn why it is the way it is.)