Melbourne's Electric Railways.

The gently undulating country in and around Melbourne offers little difficulty in the way of line construction. The majority of the railways were built below the ordinary street levels some years ago, and the suburban system of about a dozen separate lines now use electric traction. The heavy carriages of the past have been replaced by those of a more roomy, more accessible and lighter type. The punctuality, speed, and quietness of running are praiseworthy features, further enhanced by cleanliness and the absence of smoke. Carriages have crosswise seats and sliding doors, so that the time for entering or leaving is minimised. An ordinary train is usually one of the motor; some seven carriages and a van, under a motor-man and a guard. Passengers procure their tickets at stations and give them up at the terminal turnstiles. Inspectors occasionally board a train at a station and inspect the tickets, presumably to ascertain whether holders are in the departments as indicated, and whether season tickets are in order. In cases of default lawbreakers are heavily fined, so that few take liberties.

The electric signal control seems to be working perfectly, and visitors are struck with the quick despatch of trains from the stations.

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At the central station in Flinders Street, lines pass right through. The time and place of departure is well notified, and few passengers find any difficulty in locating the right platform, as indicators clearly show the destination of outgoing trains. Cheap fares encourage patronage, and from East Camberwell, seven miles out, my return fare, first class, was 1/-, or 10½. second class. The daily carriage of business people and workers to and from the city has reached colossal proportions, close on 300,000 a day passing through the station, making it probably the busiest passenger station in the world.