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Tram No. 10, c.1910
The Electric Supply Company of Victoria took over the Ballaarat Tramway Company in 1903. In 1905 the began the process of converting the tramway to electricity. This photo shows one of their trams in Lydiard Street North in about 1910. There is a motorman, passenger, and conductor featured in the photograph. Note the age of the conductor – the company employed teenagers as conductors and generally terminated their employment when they reached 21 and had to paid an adult wage. Only a few progressed to become motormen. There was considerable industrial action during ESCo’s operations in regard to pay and conditions for the young conductors.
