AUCKLAND TRAMS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 247, 11 July 1908, Page 5

AUCKLAND TRAMS.

THE INQUIRY. METHODS OF INSPECTORS. SOME INTERESTING EVIDENCE, • Cm tzleqbaph.—special cobbestondxht.) Auckland, July 10. Tho evidence at the tramway inquiry wafl continued to-day. Walter Honry Haslam, a motonnan for five years in tho service of tho Company, stated that he was a member of tho deputation which had waited on Mr. Hansen, tho former manager, to complain of Inspector Morris having hidden for upwards of an hour at tho Heme Bay terminus. Mr. Hansen replied that ho did not order such things, i and the question was still unanswered as to who did. If tho Company enforced its regulations it was practically impossible for the employers, to work for a whole day without committing breaches. Ho know of other occasions on which inspectors had hidden. This applied especially to Inspector Tickle, who had a habit of hiding in a particular doorway. Dr, M'Arthur: Ho is not very successful at tho disappearing trick, then. (Laughter.) . .' Witness: No, not very, but. he pounces out of this door on conductors like a leopard on its prey, Mr. Rosser: Ho is known by a particular namo isn't he? Witness: Yes, Sherlock Holmes. Thomas Alexander Steen, conductor, stated that he had seen Inspector Ticklo at night time standing at the junction. of Cook and' Hobson Streets with the buttons of his coat turned iu and his cap off under his arm. , Mr. Rosser: Has Mr. Lysaght over expressed his opinion to you as regardß the men in the service?.. Witness: Yes. He told me that none of tho conductors were honest; that they could not be honest having the amount of money they did in tho car. Did he ever give you any instructions about ex-Conduotor Boaston?—Yes. Ho told me to report every breach committed by Beaston no matter how trivial, as he was too much of a labour agitator, and wanted him dismissed. Did you join- the TJnion?—Yes. And how long did you reign after that?— Oh, not long. Mr. Lysaght told mo that my services were not required. _ Roy Hodgson, a conductor on the sparo list, stated that he followed Inspector Ticklo on one occasion, and saw him hide behind an hotel corner, and spy motormen and conductors. .To Mr. Walklate: He did not care for this system of being watched closely. , Mr. Walklate: You don't mind, then, doinj* to others you complain of your-

Dr. M'Arthur: Oh, perhaps ho thought that one good turn deserves another. (Laughter.) William S. Campbell, formerly an inspector in the Company's employ, stated that he took his orders from Mr. Lysaght, traffio manager. After he had been an inspector for about four months Mr. Lysaght instructed him to go out by train to Onehunga in plain clothes on sentry duty. Mr. Lysaght told him that the men wore in the habit of delaying cars there, and that if he hid behind the trucks or some' such shelter he would catch them. Witness, while- agreeing to go out to Onehunga in plain clothes and to report the men for any breaches, refused to hide behind trucks; stating that he had never done anything in that lino beforo and did not intend to do it then; Mr. Lysaght told him 'in that., case his services would not be satisfactory to the Company as an inspector, and subsequently : threatened him with'dismissal. Jas. Benjamin Cox, formerly in the employ of tho Company as conductor and inspector, said he had been four years in the Company's service. He was dismissed about twelve months ago, and was given no reason. He acted as inspector for three and a half years. He frequently received instructions from Sir. Lysaght to watch the men.' He was instructed to go to certain places where he could not be seen, and report any irregularities. Ho was told to go in private clothes • Mr. Rosser: Did you go in plain clothes P— No; I went in uniform. Did you place yourself where you could not be seon?—No; I'could not find any place off the road. '' : ' Did you catch any fish?—No; I'expect I had no bait. ■ (Laughter.) Continuing/ the witness ' said that Mr. Lysaght came up on one occasion and told witness to go back on to the cars, and ho would get a man who understood the business, adding that he (witness) might as weT have a Union Jack flying over his head. (Laughter.) On other' occasions Mr. Lysaght suggested that he should go out in old clothes, so that he should not be known.

Mr. Rosser: Do. you know of any female detectives. I won't call them ladies?—No; they're not ladies. I believe Miss —— was one. Have you been approached regarding getting any of your lady relatives or friends to do this work?— Yes; to lay.traps for conductors. ■ ..... Asked as regards his hours of work, the witness said it- seemed sometimes like twenty-five hours a day. His morning shift was from 6.30 a.m. to 9.30 p.m. (Laughter.) His afternoon shift was from 10 p.m. to midnight. , Mr; TValklate: Can you remember the date on which Mr. Lysaght met you at the three lamps?—No; I can't remember tho date. I think Mr. Morris (a member of tho Board) can remember tho date that ho was in Chaple Street with whiskers on. (Laughter.) : Continuing,. the witness said lie received his instructions from Mr.. Lysaght. To Mr..Sherry: Ho was quito positive that Mr. Lysaght said there was not an honest man in the service. Mr. Slierry: You mentioned that Mr. Mor-. ris was in Chapel Street with whiskers on?— Yes; ho was looking for a witness. Mr.'Rosser: "A witness" or a "wet nurse?" (Laughter.) Tho case: for, tho men has been closed subjcct to the right to call rebutting end' ence, if necessary.