| Friday, November 3, 1899 | The Newmarket Era | Page 3, col. 3 |
Metropolitan railway.
By the city papers we observe that strong opposition is being offered against the Metropolitan Railway Co. being allowed to connect with those of the C.P.R. Complaint was made by a deputation from North Toronto, to the Board of Works, that the Metropolitan by this connection would be able to handle freight, and running at the rate of 20 miles an hour would render Yonge st. unsafe for vehicular traffic. The deputation also argued that farm produce now going in via Yonge st. would be diverted and a loss in the city revenue would result. For every ton of freight Metropolitan carried into the city it would drive ten tons away. These arguments the residents of the North end of the city desired the Board of Works to consider.
On the other hand, Mr. Walter Barwick, representing the Metropolitan Rail'y Co., declared that the Metropolitan was an electric railway only, and all details of construction and traffic were settled by the County Engineer. North Toronto had always opposed the Metropolitan, and the York County Council had compelled the Co. to carry freight. When they were asked by the city they had agreed to give the round trip to the cemetery for single far, and had always acted in the most reasonable manner possible. The Metropolitan was the pioneer railway in the market scheme. They wanted to do a general freight business all along the route. They wanted to get to the market and water front. They had failed to make arrangements with the Toronto Railway Co. and consequently had to fall back on the C.P.R. They would rather run through Rosedale, down Church st., but that would not be granted. It was proposed to build a grain elevator at Newmarket, and load cars at that point.
The Board of Works, Toronto, appear to be divided—some in favor of grating the permission sought; others are opposed. The impression prevailed, however, that the C.P.R. was behind the move, seeking a line out north—and everybody says the C.P.R. will win. A grain elevator at Newmarket will stir up the G.T.R. and this place will become a great grain centre.
The power is all generated now at Bond's Lake. The boilers in the power house at Davisville were removed last week. It is rumored that the Co. intends putting a switch at or near Newmarket—possibly on the Chantler property which they have purchased and where the freight sheds may be located.
The waiting room here is not finished yet. The front has a new coat of paint.
The heavy rains caused the track to settle in several places between here and Yonge st. and the construction men have been working on it all the week. Several men were called out on Sunday.
Notwithstanding the mist and rain on Saturday afternoon the faculty and senior students of the School of Practical Science enjoyed a most interesting excursion over the line of the Metropolitan Railway as the guests of Mr. J. W. Moyes, Superintendent, and Mr. Jas. McDougall, C. E. engineer. A special car was provided and every opportunity was afforded for the examination of the power plant and equipment of the road. The new locomotive and machinery for generating the high potential current at Bond's Lake, transmitting it into a current of ordinary intensity, were objects of special interest and elicited much admiration. On arriving at Newmarket this party proceeded to Cane's woodenware factory, where they were received by Mayor Cane and conducted through the works. The new drying kilns, the special machinery and labor-saving devices were fully explained. On the return journey a stop was made at Aurora for supper at the Queen's Hotel, where, after the usual patriotic toasts, the health of Messrs. Moyes and McDougall was enthusiastically proposed.