TRAMWAY BOARD.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14658, 6 May 1913, Page 2

TRAMWAY BOARD.

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING

The Tramway Board met yesterday. Present —Messrs Geo. T. Booth (chairman), J. A. Fleshcr, C. M. Gray, D. Sykes, S. A. Staples, H. Pearce, A W. Bsavcn, and the Hon. John Barr. The Works and Traffic Committee reported that the resignation of Mr W. M. Nelson, the engineer, had been accepted, with much regret, and that, as tho construction work was now practically over, Mr E. P. Turner, the poTvcr-nouie superintendent, would undertako tho immediate supervision oi the other engineering departments, as well as his own, his salary being increased by £ijO pvv annum. Kegairiiiu; tho St. Martin's tramway, it was recommended that the end of the second section trom tho Square be altered from Austin street to K-ogers street. I\lr Staples, referring to Mr Turner's appointment, objected to work done by tho Board in committee being made public belore continued by the Boaid. The appo ntment was made last Friday, and on Saturday morning, Mr Staples asserted, it was well-known that the appointment was madn Hf> himself hau received a letter—it might or might not have been written sarcastically—thanking him for what ho had dono in respect to the anointment.

Sir Gray said that he wished to speak aga list the adoption of the clause. After the discussion, which took place in committee Replying to a point of order raised by Mr Flesber, the Chairman ruled that no reference could bo made to xho discussion in committee.

Mi- Gray opposed the appointment, and moved: —"That the Board advertise for applications for the portion rendered vacant by Mr Nelson's resignation." He had nothing to say against Mr Turner in the position whioh he holds at present, but ho did not. see how tho engineer in the powerhonso was to exercise supervis'on over all tho work. The Board was adopting a policy of false economy in making tho appointment. Tho motion was not seconded, and thf> 'clause and the whole report wero adopted. "It. was agreed : —"That tho surplus of £2501 on the Christchurch Lines Account be dealt with as follows— £500 to tho Employees' Accident Fund, £2001 to writing down tb«> Preliminary Expenses Account, now £]3.fi15.

It was proposed :—"That that- surplus of £624 on the Itccarton-Soek-biirn Account In* devoted to ■writing down the Preliminary Expenses Account, now standing at £3354." Mr Staples objected that this was not in accordance with the provisions of the Act, and raovpd:—"That the surplus of £624 be carried forward as -a credit." .Mr Sykes seconded the motion. Mr Flesher said, referring to tho wrtt'ngs-off generally, that as tho Board was still paying interest, tho amounts proposed to be written otf >ihonld l>e invested, so as to return tin , same rate of interest as was being paid on the loans. Mr Staples's motion was agreed to. The Beckenham-Kishortnn Burgesses' Association wrote (1) asking that a stop be made at Malcolm avenue; (2) ■stating that there is no convonVnt tram passing Moprhouso avenue after tho arrival of the 6 p.m. train from T.yttelton; and (3) stating that, overcrowding takes place on the Hills trams between 6 and 7 o'clock on Sunday even'ngs, and suggesting that ■a,'. trailer should be attached; • ... . 4> . Tho . general manager was asked .if report on the matters referred to. hi tho Irtter. . The Town Clerk of Sumner -wrote that tho Borough Council desired tho cost of tho tramway causeway to bo reform! to a Commissioner.

It was deeded to hold tho lettei , over, ami in tho meantime to tako steps to ascertain what the proportions of the traffic are.

On thn suggestion of Mr Staples, who wislicd the work of painting all the unpainted poles put in hand at once, it was decided to ask the genera) Tpnnager to report as to the cost of tho work.

Accounts amounting to £3299 0s lid were passed for payment.