TRAMWAY BOARD

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16217, 21 May 1918, Page 5

TRAMWAY BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING

The monthly meeting of the Christchurch Tramway Botu'd was held yc*sterdaj r . Present —Mr C. M. Gray (chairman), the Hon. J. Barr, and Messrs S. Staplc-s, D. Sykes, T. H. Davcy, A. S. Taylor, U. T. Booth, J. A. Flecher and H. Pearce.

The Works and Traiiic Committee reported that during April there ha<i boon '2j accidents, mado up as follows Collision with vehicles 7, falls from cars 19, collision with pedestrian, wiili another tram, and with norse, ono cach. The committor regretted that thu acciucr.t to the pedestrian terminated fatally, and drew the attention of the stall and public 1o tho dangor incurred by so timers alighting from or boarding moving cars. Tlio number of complaints respecting the conduct of tho staff had been greater than for some time previously. With regard to the superannuation scheme-, tho committee was supplying eath employee with information provided by tho ' Nati«pal Provident l''uvid_ Board. Meetings of t'i;o stall would bo i:ddrcssed on the matter by Mr li. K. Ilayeo. supeiint-enrlent of the- fund. The Board's liability would not be known until it was known bow many of tho staff would join the fund, and the age of cach assenting cni<>iovee. The renort was adopted.

Tho Prisoners at War Fund Appeal Committee aaked permission to ercct sign repurditK' the appeal on the tramway shelter, providing tho permission of th e City Council could bo obtained r.lso. Tho icquest was granted.

The Board confirmed the action of ,the Works ur.d Traffic Commit t*e i:i making arrangements to defend in the Supreme Court the impending action wild regard to 6;>eci.il tramway rating- areas.

In answer to Mr Staples, who wished the Board's position in tho matter to bo mado clear, tho chairman =»id the matter was«ub judice, and ho though; it inadvisable to deal with ;i. Jt war, true ihut an article had been published 011 tho question, hi;', he- considered that v.as an unfortunate breach of journalistic f 4 iq;:rrU-e, and not an action to bo imitated by the Board.

Tiie ronora! manager was ir.ftrucU-J to look into the rmitter of reiicvin;; the rrepsure or. tho traffic from tb 0 H'|iia:c to* Beu-ley av.'nue at nis-h hour.":.

Mr J. A. Flo-h'r !hr:i tin- system of a. minimum fare on ion-* iine^ ".vould keen the orrrcr-'V.diii'Jr of ;:cnn;/ pa«-sen-.ro: s oE t rivs.

The chairman qtKV.n-n'.f! whetlur the Board had power tinder ita Ordor in Council to do this.

Mr Flesher said ho thought ihut the Board had that power.

Mr Davey eaid the Board nhouUl discus •without delay th-j question of altering tho lengths of sections. TIl.? niatte r hud ' >eerl held up many times, and thrro were many anomalies which needed rectification.