WELLINGTON TRAMWAYS.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17247, 10 September 1921, Page 3

WELLINGTON TRAMWAYS.

THE FINANCIAL POSITION. (SPECIAJi TO "THE MUBS.") ■WELLINGTON, September 9. The Wellington tramways, which are run by the municipality, are not a success commercially, and often they are so overcrowded that comfortable travelling is out of the question. Tho accounts for the year ended March last showed an enormous increase in working expenses amounting to £91,000, and the net loss for the year was £I2BO. The Renewal Fund is now found to be inadequate. After extended negotiations with the Tramway Employees' Union, the Corporation in May, 1920, entered into a new industrial agreement, which provided for largely increased rates of pay and improved working conditions for the employees in all branches of the service. The rate of pay was further increased by the addition of the bonus granted by the Arbitration Court in November, 1920. An industrial agreement with the Tramway Officials' Union, comprising principally members of the out-door etaif, was also entered into in July, 1920. The total number of officers and men in the tramway service at March 3lßt, 1921, was 71/, comprising 85 members of _ the staff, and 632 employees.