THE TRAMWAYS.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20756, 17 January 1933, Page 9

THE TRAMWAYS.

MEETING OF. BOAKD. f^ MORE PASSENGERS CARRIED. A meeting of the Christchurch Tramway Board was held yesterday, when there were present: Mr G. T. Booth (chairman), Mrs E. R. McContH Messrs D. Sykes, W. J. Walter, E. H. Andrews, W. Hayward, H. Pearce, W. Williamson, and A. A. McLachlan. I A copy of the "Emergencies Report" issued by the Public Utilities Committee was received, and it was decided to make a contribution of £1 Is. Inspector Smith. The Works and Traffic Committee reported having learnt with great regret of the death of Inspector J. B. Smith, who had joined the Board's staff as far back as. 1906 and who in all the succeeding years had rendered the Christchurch tramway system loyal and very efficient service. Mr Smith did not Jeave the Board's service in August last as had been stated. He was given sick leave at that time and continued on full pay for three months, his name being retained on the weekly duty sheets. At the expiration of the three months arrangements were in progress for him to receive a medically unfit pension of about £2 15s 4d a week, but Mr Smith did not live to obtain the benefit ©# this. An illustration was afforded of the advantage which tramway employees received in the superannuation fund which, with the assistance of the National Provident" Fund, the Board established many years ago. The fund was contributed to by the employee himself, subsidised substantially by the Board and by the State. * On retirement employees received a pension equivalent to two-thiids of their wages, or, alternatively, could withdraw a lump sum, which" included the Board's subsidy as well as their own contributions. In the event of death the employee's widow, in addition to the payment of 5s per week for each child under 14 years, had the option of a pension of £lB a year, or, alternatively, might withdraw a lump sum. In the case now under notice this represented a substantial amount, which was worth considerably more than: the option of £lB a year. New Pares. It was yet too early to gauge the full effect of the Board's new change of fares as many of tho old concession tickets continued in circulation after the new tickets came into use on November 5 last. The last weekly record, December 5 to 11, however, gave some indication of the position. The deeline in revenue" which for preceding weeks was from 15 per cent, to 18 per cent, below the previous year, was now only 9$ per cent. less. For the week mentioned the paseengers were 317,018 or 2259 more than the Hame week last year. The receipts from. these passengers averaged .283 d leas than last year, which that, taking nil tickets, including passes, into account, the costs to passengers were less / than formerly. A case had been reported of a psfesenger tendering a pass after its-expiry date. The committee wished the- pubHe to note.that this was.a breach of a by-law, which must be strictly enforced. Other Matters. In an endeavour to meet the request of Burwood residents the committee had arranged for outbound bases to stop at the corner of Francis street instead of at the shelter. The isbonnd buses would continue to use the old stopping place.

The committee was unable to adopt the suggestion that the second section on the Cas%mere' line should be extended from Tennyson street to Fisher street.

The tender of Gillies and Laird for 75 tyres for £221 9s 2d had been accepted.

The committee was grieved to hear that Miss Violet Large who, when cycling across Moorhouse avenue, came into contact with a tramcar, sueecmbed to her injuries. It had sent a letter of condolence to her relatives in whiett the staff of the Board, including the motorman and conductor of the tram concerned in the accident, joined.