GRANTING OF FREE PASSES

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21728, 10 March 1936, Page 5

GRANTING OF FREE PASSES

REPOR.T TO TRAMWAX BOARD

The view that there is much misconception about the granting of free passes to travel on the trams was expressed at a meeting yesterday of the Christchurch Tramway Board, in a report .presented by the works ana traffic committee. "The granting of free passes has exercised the minds of not only the present board but all previous boards, the report stated. "The issue of free passes to mayors or chairmen, town clerks, and county clerks was a legacy from the old company, and in force before the board commenced operations in 1905. All previous boards have, after full consideration, decided to make no change, and this present board has also made the same decision. Actually there is much misconception about the matter.

"Free passes are issued to local bodies because their operations and the board's are closely allied in many respects. The board's employees in terms of their respective awards have always been carried free to and from work. Returned soldiers who are disabled and others who are in-patients at the Rannerdale Home form the bulk of free passes to those outside the tramways. The number of free passes, has not increased during the present board's term of office. A close check is maintained throughout." Mr W. J. Walter suggested that there were too many free passes. He questioned whether city councillors and county chairmen should have the privilege of travelling free on the trams. He felt also that board mempers should not have free yasses. Mr R. M. Macfarlane said that city councillors had to travel a good deal on the trams in carrying out their duties, and he did not begrudge them the privilege. Passes to board members, too, were justified. He was satisfied, top, that every citizen who received a pass, with one or two exceptions, was giving his services to the city. "This is the third occasion on which the board has discussed free passes," commented Mr J. Mathison. To his mind, there would always be some criticisms of the practice, and he hoped that the board would not consider the matter again. The discussion then lapsed.