The first electric tramways entered the "Golden Mile" in 1925, down Swanston St as far as Lonsdale St and down Peel St and William St as far as Collins St.

The City council wanted the poles to be topped with street lights as shown in the attached sketch dated 1923.

However, the MMTB were not keen as the position of the lights would put the tramcar steps in the shade.

At least one light was installed to the City council's preferred design and lasted until the mid 1950s when it was captured by an MMTB photographer collecting evidence on delays to trams caused by motor traffic.

I'm pleased to note that the whole of the CBD is now effectively 'reserved track' ... it took a long campaign!

Mal Rowe - as appalled at the motor traffic shown in the photo as the MMTB presumably was.