Physical description

Newspaper clipping. Clipping possibly from 1958. Policemen On Eaglehawk Trams. In the Good Old Days. A man who retired yesterday after almost half a century connected with the Bendigo's trams, recalled the time when a policeman had to travel on the last tram to Eaglehawk to maintain order. He was Mr Evans, began in 1910 as a conductor, became a motorman, then traffic inspector, appointed tramways superintendent in May, 1928. When he retires he will be in his 48th year of service.. Received callers wishing him well in his retirement, was besieged with telephone calls and telegrams in his office the S.E.C. buildings, received a presentation of a framed photograph of himself at work from the tramway inspectors and a presentation from the staff and employees. Complimentary dinner at the Hotel Shamrock. Wages for conductors in 1910, 1 pound 2/6 for 60 hours, Motormen received 1 pound 10. No windscreen in trams. No sick pay.Tram drivers had to attend broken trolley wires, repairs or replacements in controllers and general equipment, to rerail trams when derailed, adjust brakes. Welsh, Cornish and Irish miners often sang on the trams. Policemen had to travel on the last tram at night to maintain order. Tram ticket obtained from conductors. 'Passengers could travel between Eaglehawk and Quarry Hill, a distance of almost 11 miles, at a charge of sixpence return,' said Mr Evans. Combination tickets included return tram fares and admission to the theatre. The prices varied according to the theatre seats.