TRAMWAY BOARD

Press, Volume L, Issue 14971, 19 May 1914, Page 10

TRAMWAY BOARD

ORDINARY MEETING,

The Tramway Board met yesterday afternoon. Present—Messrs J. A. Flesher (chairman), George T. Booth, T>. Sykes, C. M. Gray, A. W. Beaven, Hon. J. Barr, and Dr. Thacker. THE REVENUE ACCOUNTS. The Works and Traffic Committed reported that the surplus on revenue account for the main original area lines for year ended March 31st, 1914, is £7627 9s lid. The committee decided to write this amount off preliminary expenses account, which will then stand at £3514. The surpius on Kic-carton-Sockburn account is £1473 17s Id, including £624 7s brought forward from last year. The committee proposed to again carry forward £o'i24, and to write £8-19 off Riccarton preliminary expenses, which will then stand at £3005. The deficiencies on special rating area lines after collection of rates, amount to £1866 17s Id. Tho amounts will be carried forward to the debit of the respective accounts. The employees' accident reserve account now stands at £2816. The committee do uot propose to devote any of the revenue account surplus to this reserve this year, as nas been the practice in the past. The balance-sheet will be submitted for discussion later, when the auditors' certificate has been received. THIS YEAR'S RATES. The same committee further reported that the follow ; ng rates would be collected in special rating areas this yenr: — Hnrkthorno road ... 1 l-5d Dallington ... ... Fendalton ... ... W Papanui ... ... Id The rates aro levied on *he capital value. The St. Martin's district was constituted under different legislation, which requires a rate for the whole deficiency. It would be possible for the Board to strike a rate now for the interest and sinking fund, and to strike another next year for the ether deficiencies, when the amount is known. The committee proposed to make other arrangements for tho payment of interest as it becomes due, and not to strike any rate until the end of the year. Ono rate will then covor both items. The report was ndopted. CORRESPONDENCE. The Addingt-on Burgesses' Association wrote, asking if anything was being done in respect to a shelter in Cathedral square. Mr Barr moved that the Association be informed of the steps being token. Mr Gray seconded, and said that the Board was desirous of providing shelters for its customers, and would like to have shelters at thc north and south ends of Cathedral square. He expected that by the next meeting of the Works and Traffic Committee the committee would bo in a position to submit plans to' the City Council.

The chairman said that the statement in the letter, that the City Council had agreed to a site for a shelter for Addington passengers, was tho first the Board had heard of the matter. The motion was agreed to. The Progressive Liberal Association wrote, expressing thanks to the motormen who slowed their cars down when passing >n the vicinity of Victoria square during Sir Joseph Ward's speech.—Received. The Heath"ote County Council asked for the use of tramway poles for lighting purposes on the same terms as granted the City Council.—Agreed to. It ivas also decided to instal a light at the terminus of tbe St. Martins line on the same condit-'ous that lights are provided at tramway termini. The Papanui Burgesses" Association is to be informed that action has b?en taken in regard to the leaving of fende' vc 01 foo^na+^s.

The St. Martin's Burgesses' Association is to be informed that the deputation regarding name of line, apprentice tickets, and matters, will be received by the Works and Traffic Committee at its meeting next week. SUPERANNUATION FUND.

The secretary of tho Provisional Committee of the Tramway Officers' Cor.mittee wrote, forwarding a resolution requesting the Board to establish a superannuation fund for the salaried officers in the Board's employ. The chairman said that this was a matter he had .mentioned on a previous occasion, but which he had delayed taking action in till he saw how the Board's finances would be affected by the new award. It was financially impossible for the Board to establish such a fund unless it could avail itself of the National Provident Fund Act. That would necessitate the extension of that Art to local bodies. He was in favour of any superannuation fund established applying to all the employees of the Board.

On the chairman's motion, Messrs Barr, Beaven, and Staples were appointed a sub-committee to report on tho subject to the Works and Traffic Coiora'ttce.

Accounts arnonntmg to £10,398 18s 9d were passed for payment, and the Board rose.