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

The booklet was printed by the New South Wales Government Printer, W.A. Gullick in 1911

This book was found under the leg of a very large desk in the engineering office of what is now Newcastle Buses State Transit Authority. When the office was being altered during 1990 the booklet was found and prevented from being damaged by the donor who was at the time the Maintenance Manager.

Booklet, 'The Sydney Tramways Pocket Guide 1911', paper, W A Gullick Government Printer, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1911

'The Sydney Tramways Pocket Guide of 1911' is small booklet of 48 pages stapled along the horizontal centre two staples. It was issued by the Chief Commissioner for Railways and Tramways and produced especially for visitors to Sydney. The booklet has a cover made from a light card, printed in black and sepia. A photographic image of a tram is located centrally with black text above and below. The booklet is illustrated throughout with numerous black and white photographs, located in the centre is a map detailing the routes.

Made: W A Gullick Government Printer; Sydney; 1911


Used: Newcastle, New South Wales; 1911 - 1990

Printed onto front cover "THE / SYDNEY / TRAMWAYS / 1911"
printed front cover l.c. "ISSUED BY / THE CHIEF COMMISSIONER FOR / RAILWAYS AND TRAMWAYS"

2003/28/1

1911

155 mm

95 mm

5 mm