TRAFFIC, With the inauguration of the tram service certain new features have ariveu in connexion with traffic, the most important of which appears to be whether, at any time, it is permissible to pass 'a tram car on the right hand side, when driving s vehicle. That in England apparently the question is quite clear is shown by the following extract from Motor" of February 11 "The presence of a tramline, coupled with a tram upon it, seeing that the vehicle is confined to the middle of the road, undoubtedly divides that road were posted behind excellent cover in|into two portions, and it should be the neighbourhood of Evans' Farm, and treated as such, It is immaterial "A" Company, which was held in whether the tramcar is stationary or in reserve, went to the support of the left flank when it was threatened. Major Trueman had marked reference letters against the various bridges in the map of the country, and as the scouts brought back news that portions of the attacking force were crossing them the Officer Commanding the Artillery was able to direct a searching fire by means of ecole-and compass. Thna, throughout the afternoon the artillery were noise lessly shelling the attacking infantry, opening at 1,500 yards, and continuing to fire until the operations were suspended. In the course of the afternoon the German and Japanese companies got through the defending line and attacked at close quarters; they were repulsed by ' case" from the guns, but as they had gone too far to their right or dangerous flank, they would, in real warfare, have been confronted by the troops in the Settlement " B" Company and the Chinese Company, sui ported by their Maxim pushed home vigorous attack on Major Trueman' centre, and though the Chinese worked splendidly at the oataet, towards the end they got careless in exposing themselves and were, for several minutes at a time, under fire from the defenders' Maxims.
The scouting of the attacking force was good. It appeared that the defence might have made their dispositions more smartly, as the advance had scarcely time to take their positions before the attack was in progress, The "cease-fire" sounded about five o'clock, when the Corps formed up in column of route on Ward Road, and, headed by the Band, marched past the Commanding Officer and back to the Settlement. motion: the effect is the same, namely, that, wherever that tramcar is, it absolutely blocks the way for all other traffic, just as much as if it were a house, or any part of a continuous wi and the only course left for the motorist and for other users of the highway is to treat the road in front of him for the time being—presuming, of course, that he is following his correct side of the, road—as a separate road, disregarding the presence of the tram at all: that is to say, it is a mistake to endeavour, when overtaking " tramcar, to pass it as you would pass any other vehicle, by moving over to the off side. Such a procedure only brings you face to face with any opposing traffic which may be upon the road, and brings you, in fact, entirely on your wrong side of the road. The only correct way, I think, is to pass s tramcar on the near side, and watch carefully for alighting passengers."
But in Shanghai it is not so easy to Isy down hard-and-fast rales in this way, simply because, in some places, there is not room fora vehicle of any kind to pass on the near side of the tram, By attempting to pass on the off side, however, there is the possibility of meet~ ing another tram, perhaps unexpectedly emerging from a cross road, and being forced still further over into contact with light vehicles on the right side and no argument could justify a position there. It would appear, therefore, that the only safe course is not to pass a tram at all unless on the near side. The local regulations may not be strict upon this point, but there is no doubt that all action to the contrary will be solely at the risk of the driver.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.