TRAMWAY BOARD.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15490, 18 January 1916, Page 2

TRAMWAY BOARD.

YESTERDAY'S MEETING. The Christchurch Tramway Board met yesterday. Present: Messrs J. A. Flesher (chairman), H. Pearce, C. M. Gray, D. Sykes, S. A. Staples,- Geo.. T. Booth, and the Hon. John Barr. CHRISTMAS TRAFFIC. The Works and Traffic Committee reported that, following the experience of Carnival Week, a drop in traffic returns for tlio Christmas period had tp be recorded. Tho daily returns were:— Last This Year. Year. £ £ Christmas Eva ... 599 561 Boxing Day ... 934 615 New Year's Evo ... 509 502 Now Year's Day ... 10S6 1113 January 3rd ... 777 837 4253 3956 The receipts from tho two trotting meetings were:— Last This Year. Year. £ £ New Brighton •... 417 352 Canterbury Park ... 506 568 WORKS AND TRAFFIC. Tho Works and Traffic Committee reported that it had been necessary to order a new crossing for a junction at tho north side of the Square. Tho whole of the Square "special" work was showing signs of wear, and a comprehensive report ,was in course of preparation. The Sumner Borough Council had applied for use or tramway poles between the Cutting and Pratt street in connection with its Redcliffs lighting scheme. The committee had acceded to tho request, subject to the same conditions as obtain with respect to similar contracts. In order that valuable comparisons with other systems could I be ma-de of the various items in operating expenses, it was necessary that a uniform classification of charges should exist. The committee had therefore invited the municipalities of Dunedinand Wellington to send their managers to i Christchurch for a. conference m the matter. MISCELLANEOUS. A petition was received from 297 persons asking that all Edgeware road cars should run to Warrington street. , The matter was referred to tho Works and Traffic Committee to consider and report. A letter was received from the General Manager of Railways, stating that he could not vary the existing practice in the matter of the crossingkeepers at the Antigua street crossing. Tho Board still got what it paid for, full time of two signalmen. Mr Gray said that according to the former the Board was onlv charged the additional expense incurred by the Department, whereas by thfc new arrangement made the Department was saved that additional expense, yet the Board was to bo charged the same. He would move that the Department bo communicated with aqsin, pointing 'out that the increased traffic'was on the railway lines, and not on the tramlines. , Mr Staples said the necessity for the crossing and signalmen was due to_ the increase of the railway traffic, principally shunting. The motion was earned. Mr Staples suggested that a circular seat should be placed around the pole in Cathedral Squaro for the uso of Riccarton passengers. . The matter was referred to tho Works and Traffic Committee.