The booklet is not only a descriptive account of the tramway routes in Sydney in 1911 but it also describes the natural features, buildings and industries in the various suburbs at the time. As well as this it gives an insight into the attitude held by contemporary officials of Sydney as a tourist destination. The numerous black and white photographs illustrate Sydney in 1911 showing extensive areas of bushland surrounding the harbour and beaches.

The last page headed 'Hints to Tourists' lists the breaches for which penalties may be enforced on Sydney's tramways. There are the usual infringements such as 'leaving the car without paying your fare' and 'smoking in unauthorised portions of cars' or 'placing your feet on the seats'. However several breaches stand out today as being very curious and provide an insight into the different social customs and practices, and public health issues of the period. These include: 'expectorating on any part of the car'; 'riding on a car when suffering from any infectious or contagious disease' and 'carrying loaded firearms on a car'. Presumably unloaded firearms were acceptable!

Margaret Simpson
Assistant Curator, Transport
December 2002

Source:

Powerhouse Museum

Location:

Sydney

Longitude:

151.207323074

Latitude:

-33.8678499639