Re: Bolte et al.
  mcloughlin.dj

Following Dudley's request for me to provide written evidence that Bolte cancelled trams 1041-1070 (which I did, quoting from Destination City) I have followed Dudley's suggestion and re-looked at my copy of Bolte, by Peter Blazey, Bolte's biography.

As Dudley said, it appears to shed no light on Bolte's attitude to trams. The only mention I have found in the 1955-56 period (when Bolte was first premier, when the Bourke Street routes were converted from buses to trams, and 1041-1070 were cancelled) is about a threatened tram, train and bus strike when Bolte cancelled quarterly wage adjustments.

Of interest, Bolte appointed a businessman, Arthur Warner, as Transport Minister. This is likely the minister I recall reading had taken issue with the Bourke Street conversions (approved under the defeated Labor government) at a function at East Preston Depot about that time. The railways were brought under direct government control at this time. Warner's conflicts of interest became an increasing embarrassment to Bolte, the book says. In 1959 one of his companies was exposed as replacing a free water fountain at Ringwood station with a drink vending machine!

All fascinating stuff but no tram details. I'll keep re-reading as I have time.

david mcl