TO THE KDITOB OF THE PBESS. Sib,— I cannot help feeling amused when reading from time to time correspondence by " A Batepayer " re the above Company, who would make it appear that the tramway, far from being a public boon, is none other than « nuisance. It is a well known fact that the company, haviDg received powers to lay their permanent way through the streets, have to keep not only that part whioh intersects their rails, but also some eighteen inches each side of same in thorough repair to the satisfaction of the city surveyor, thereby relieving the ratepayers of the whole cost of maintenance of 7ft. 6in. of roadway wherever the company have laid down their permanent way. With respect to the use of steam on tramways, there can be no question as to the superiority of Buch motive power as against horse power. Oars can be brought to a dead stand in some six inches with the former, whereas the latter cannot be stopped under as many feet, consequently there are less acoi dents of a serious nature on lines worked by steam than thoge worked by horses. I believe also that the engines here are fitted with self* acting breaks, that will not allow of .a greater speed being ran than from eight to ten miles per hour without bringing the whole train to a full atop. When in the "old country" some short time since, I well remember the convenience cars were, not only, in the city of London, but also in many parts of the pro* vinces, and I say that the Ohristchurch cars are far superior in style and finish to anything at home. In a recent number ©f the "Sydney Herald," an article appeared on tramways, wherein it was affirmed that Christohuroh holds the proud position of possessing the beet rolling stook in the Southern Hemisphere, and that the Government have not only decided to spend some £600,000 on tramways, but have also sent a commissioner down to report upon the working thereof in this and other parts of New Zealand. I quite agree with the remarks of ' A Batepayer ' that care should be exercised in the selection of. 