TRAMWAY BOARD.

The Tramway Board mot yesterday afternoon. Ptesent—M«m W. Recce (chairman), G. O. Stead. F. Waymouth. A. W. Bearen. H. Pearce. A. B. Morgan, O. Scott, J. J. Dougall, and Hon. Henry F. Wigram. Tho Chairman eaid members would be pleased at the remit of the efforts of Mr Taylor and other members in regard to th? Preferential Tariff Bill. It would have been. a. serious thing for the Board had rails and cars been placed on-the higher tariff, and tho Board's calculations would have been upst't. He moved that a vote of thanks be accorded Mr Taylor and tho other members for their action in the matter. Mr Stead seconded the motion, and said

that the' action of the members would make a consisderable difference in the cost of the material to be imported for the Board.

The motion -was agreed to. The Chairman said that at the last meeting of the Finance Committee it was decided to recommend that Mr Dougall miould be appointed to it, as within a few months the committee, would probably hare .under consideration the question of tho -Ricoarton loan. As Mr Dougall represented that die4ricV.it was thought desirable that he ehould be on the committee. Mr Doagall was appointed to the committc?. ' Mr ■Wigram mentioned that under the Public Works Act Amendment Act of last session the Governor was given power to iastta Orders-in-Council, permitting an extension of the width of tram cars. The Chairman said that a number of copies of the specifications had been distributed already. .-■■'' The engineer wtated that intending tenderers could bo notified that the width ol tho cars had been changed from 7ft-6in to Bft. It would be a great advantage to have the wider carf. _ . It was <keided to .obtain an Order-ift-Council giving the Board power to. have their cars built Cfb wide. The Board then went into committee to consider their solicitor's opinion with regard to their position in connection with the Heathcote bridge, und also a, letter from the Wools! on Borough Cfflincil. covering » copy of Mr Crawford's report on the bridge. On returning tbe following resolution was reported t —" That the question of the Heatucnt* bridge be deferred till next meeting, when «« decision of the controlling body**!* Woolston Borough Council—wilt be woeived, and that .in the meantime the shore Council be informed J ,hat tha JBoard will expect such temporary repaiTs' to be «ftVcted as will enirare live Safety of the public." __ The Board's secretary (Mr F. Thompson) wa« granted leave of ahbence to visit Sydney, to mak© himself acquainted wjth'tbe latest method* of tramway management. Accounts amounting to £451 to lid irere passed for payment. A meeting of tbe Board, sitting as the

Work* Committee, to then ktld, •* which the plane and specification* f<* tin power house and car shed* were diecttwsd ,; *