TRAMWAY BOARD.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 13937, 10 January 1911, Page 4

TRAMWAY BOARD.

I . — _.—♦ '' —. ; FORTNIGHTLY MEETING. ' The fortnightly meeting of th© I Christchurch Tramway Board, held j yesterday afternoon, was attended by ! Messrs H. Pearce (chairman), G. T. ; Booth, W. Reet-e, J, A. Flosher, C. M. Gray. D. Sykes, S. A. Staples, and A. W. Beaven. THE BURWOOD COLLISION. The Works and Traffic Committee reported that on the afternoon of December 30th a collision took place between an electric car and a steam metal tram, on the Burwood line. The accident was duo to the rnotorman running past the loop at which ho was timed to pas 3 the approaching tram. Ho was running to time, and thero was no reason why ho should attempt to reach the next loop. He readily admitted he had made a mistake. Tho Board's rules provide that a "head on" collision should ho followed by the dismissal of tho man responsible, and this had been done in this case. The rnotorman had made no attempt to blame the other man, or tho equipment under his control, and in view of his straightforward acknoWlediimenfe of his mistake, and in view of his previous good record, it had been decided to give him tho next vacancy in any other department for which he might apply, and for which lie mi<_ht be considered suitable.. The .report waa adopted. WORKS AND TRAFFIC COMMITTEE'S REPORT. ~ Tho Works and Traffic Committee rerorted that the 3d se'eiiori on tho Woolston line terminated at Bamford .treot, but there was no loop at that point, the loop beinc at Princess street, .some chains nearer town. Under tho "old time-table this necessitated many Woolston cars baring to terminate their journey at Princess street instead of tho end of the section—Bamford street —and frequent complaints were received. When the new time-tablo was constructed, it was arranged for every Woolston car to travel to Bamford street, but as the two Simmer cancross at Princess street loop, it was necessary for the Woolston car to return to Princess street to permit tho Sumner cars to pr.es, and then proceed again to Bamford street to commence its return journey to town from tho section terminus. The manager had asked that the Princess street loop should be extended to Bamford street. The estimated cost was £545, and the Committee recommended that that be done. The City Council having decided to carry Wordsworth street, Sydenham, right through to Colombo street in a direct line, the manager had brought under the Committee's notice the question of tho Opawa line being carried along the new road, thus saving three very awkward and some dangerous corners in Queen street and Lawson street on the present route. The cost of making a single track esnnection with Colombo street, cfter allowing for tho material recovered from Lawson street, would be £319, and the cost of making a double track connection joining up with the present loon at Battersea street would bo £1060. The Committee recommended that the single track connection be made. Ifc would be better for the line to bo-laid before the City Council constructed the street, rather than, afterwards. The attention of the Committee had also been drawn to the question of double tracking Moorhouse avenuo from Colombo street to Antigua street, tr. prevent any interference with the profitable Show Ground traffic but tho matter had been postponed pending a report on extending double tracks generally. The Committee recommended that the 6d bi-monthly cards issued on the North Beach line should also be available for us© on th* New Brighton line. The quotation of Mr J. Taylor (£110) for renovating cottages removed to Sockburn had been accepted The report was adopted..'. Ihe Sydenham Burgesses' Association asked that the tramway poles be removed from the centre of the road at Colombo street cross'"JSi , between Carlyle street and Moorhouse avenue, as they were a serious menace to traffic. the chairman said that the engineer had reported that there was no occasion to remove the. poles. Mr Gray said that the testimony of a crossing-keeper who had watched the traffic for years there, was that there was no necessity for the removal of the poles. Mr Booth said that, from his personal observation, his opinion did not coincide with that of the crossing-keeper. Traffic was frequently held up at the crossing, and there was a mixture of cars, motor cars, cyclists, expresses, drays, nnd pedestrians, 'ihe poles, were, to a certain extent, a of danger, though perhaps not to an acute extent. The poles might be removed by the Board if it was' undertaking such work. - The matter' was referred to the Works and Traffic Committee, with power to act. GENERAL. The Heathcoto Road Board asked it the Board would hand over, free of cost, the portion of Page's road between freezes road and the New Brighton bridge, if the Road Board were successful in forming a loan area in that district to complete the road. v Several members of the Board were ! opposed to relinquishing the Board's ! control of the road. The matter was referred to the Works and Traffic Com- ; mittee, with power to act. I The Minister of Internal Affairs I wrote stating that every effort j would be made to give effect to the wishes of tho Board in the matter of including the Hackthorne district in the Christchurch tramway district, provided the petition was in order. The Minister also wrote that tho petition from residents of j Heathcote and Halswellin regard to tin inclusion of certain areas in the tramway district would be considered without delay. Tlie letters were received. The City Council apnroved of the proposal to place the seat at the corner of Fitzgerald avenue and Casfiel street under the trees in the centre of the avenue. The letter was received.