AUCKLAND MUNICIPAL HANDBOOK
Orders-in-Council previously obtained by the Local Authority.
The first breaking of the ground in connection with the laying of the permanent way took place on 1st August, 1901, and on the 17th November of the following year the electric trams were formally inaugurated. The opening proceedings commenced at 12.30 p.m. at the Power House, where a large number of representative citizens assembled as guests of the Auckland Electric Tramways Company, Limited. After an inspection of the machinery contained in the building, the Mayor of Auckland (Mr. Alfred Kidd), accompanied by Sir John Logan Campbell, the Town Clerk (Mr. H. W. Wilson), and others, ascended the switch board platform, and at the request of the Company's attorney, the Mayor of Auckland switched on the electric power. On leaving the Power House the guests proceeded to Lower Queen Street, where six electric tramcars waited in readiness to convey them to a luncheon in the Choral Hall. Sir John Logan Campbell started the first car, after receiving from the Town Clerk a handsomely bound motorman's license.
It was intended to start the public service the following day, the 18th November, 1902, but owing to the wreck of the S.S. Elingamite, in which some motormen, who were being brought from Sydney, were drowned, the opening was delayed until the 24th November, 1902, when the route from the City to the Three Lamps, Ponsonby, via Karangahape Road, was opened for
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