HANDS OFF THE TRAMS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1178, 13 July 1911, Page 6

HANDS OFF THE TRAMS.

♦ THOSE REGULATIONS. STORM'OF INDIGNANT PROTEST. FULL TEXT OF PRINCIPAL RULES. STRONG CONDEMNATION BY PUBLIC MEN.

In view of the' intense interest and indignation which has been aroused by the summary of tho now tramway regulations, which appeared in yestorday'i issue ■representatives of Tee Dominion sought .tho opinions of soveral members of Par'liament.and city councillors on the mat■ter, arid the result, as will bo seen below, is a chorus of emphatic disapproval ef the action of tho Government. The . feeling in Christchurch and Dunedin is ■also strongly condemnatory. Wo aro now in a position to publish tho full t'ext of the principal regulations as follows:—, THE REGULATIONS. ' SOME AMAZING, PROVISIONS, The first .regulation is one of interpre£tafcipn,'> defining "carriage/* "conductor/ 7 inspector," and so forth. < The remainder •follow::—'. INSPECTION 2. Every carriage employed on a tramtwiy; may. d© inspected by tho Inspector irwu.tiuie to time as ho thinks fit. The manager and premoters- of every tramway -sliall, if. so required by the Inspector, placo any carriage which he desires to inspect, over a suitable pit or other- place in such :i position that the under portion of tho carriago and the. motors, brakes, wheels, and other appliances or gear connected therewith may bo conveniently examined; and shall also f provide such lights, tools, and electric or other energy, and shall givo such assistance, as may bo reasonably required > to enable the Inspector to properly and . thoroughly examine, test, and inspect all ■ portions of such motors, brakes, wheels, and other appliances or gear, and any : other part ot tho carriage and anything 'therein contained. 4. The manager- and promoters of every tramway shall also allow the Inspector to make on the tramway itself such tests as to the efficiency and capacity of the motors, machinery, brakes, and other appliances of any carriage, and as to their suitability for servico on any or all portions of tho '■ tramway, as 'ho reasonably ■requires; and for ■ that purpose the promoters shall supply such electric current or. other power, and tho services of such ■niotormen, conductors, and artisans, is the Inspector thinks necessary: Provided, however, that nothing herein shall authorise the Inspector ■to ? interfere <with tho-running of;, other carriages required for tho public servico. of the .tramway, or otherwise .to hinder, such'service unduly. •'

Regulations five to cloven deal with tlie issuing of licenses for carriages and the posting up of these licenses. ' 12. (1.) If at any time during tho currency of a license tho Inspector reports, cr the Minister has reason to believe, that (he carriage is not fit or safe for public j traffic, tho ■ Minister may, by ifctico in writing to ■ that effect sent to the mana- ;• per, forthwith suspend tho licenso far that carnage; and.if tho manager fails, within 1 such reasonable time as the Minister determines,""to mSKe' r 'fhe carriage fit niitl eafo for public traffic, the Minister may thereupon by like notico cancel the license. ' i ' . . ■ (2.) If at any timo a carriage which is licensed meets with serious injury by fire or other accident so as to make it r unsafe for public traffic, the license shall ! thereupon be deemed to be suspended i until such time as the Inspector certifies '' that the carriage is again safe and fit : for public traffic. (3.) When a license is suspended or canI celled under the - provisions herein contained, the carriage to which that, licenso ■ refers shall not bo'used for public traffic during the' continuance of that sus- ' pension or (if cancelled) until a new ) license is granted in respect thereof; and if that carriage is so used, the promoters nnd manager shall severally be liable 05 ■for a breach of these regulations. PASSENGERS'. 13. (1.) A license 1 under these regulaitions may authorise the carriage of passengers as hereinafter specified, namely: (a.) A number for which, in' the opinion of the Inspector, reasonable seatingaccommodation is provided (i) inc side tho carriage, and (ii) on the top or upper deck of- tho carriage: (b.) An additional number for which, ! in the opinion of the Inspector, and subject to tho provisions of Clauses Kos. 16 nml 18 of these regulations, there is sufficient standing-accommo-dation inside the carriage, not exceeding 75 per rentnm of the number of passengers for whom seating-ac-commodation is provided inside the carriage. ; (2.) Ko such licen?o shall authorise— (c.) Tho carringo of. passengers 011 tho ■ top or upper deck of any carriage other than passengers for whom seating-accominodatinn is provided, . nor the carriage of passengers on any step, stair, or platform of any ■ carriage: (d.) The carriage on any cable tramway _of any passenger for whom seating-accommodation is not provided.

(3.) In no case shall authority bo given Under a license for the earring© of a i greater number of passengers than hereinbefore provided, nor shall authority bo .given in any case for tho carriage of , .standing passengers unless they can bo so ■ carried without unduly inconveniencing I .other passengers or without impeding the . idriver or conductor in the carrying-out ■of their duties respectively. 11. In determining tho seating-capacity of any carriage not more than ono pas"songer shall be allowed for each completo '■ 10 inches of the longitudinal measurement of each seat. '15. (1.) No person shall enter or attempt to enter any carriage, or any part thereof, as a' passenger, if that carriage already contains the' maximum number of passengers whi<rh it is licensed to carry; .and no person shhll enter or attempt to •ontw .any such carriage 'as a passenger while it is in motion, or at any stoppingplace when it is at rest'until the pasI Bengers dosiring to alight at that place i have dono so; and tho conductor sliall • not allow any person to remain on the carriage beyond tho number which the

carriage* is licensed to carry. Tor the ! purpose of this regulation a child under I the age of three years and in arms shall not bo counted as a passenger, a child or young person between the age of three and twelve shall be counted half a 'pasFenger, and any person over the age of twelve shall be counted as a passenger. (2) The manager and promoters shall take such stops as may be necessary to prevent the.carriage of passengers on any carriage beyond the number which it is licensed to carry, and for that purnoso they shall at termini or other places whoro large numbers of passengers congregate station a responsible officer to keep order and to arrange as far as possible that passengers desiring to rido in any carriage shall be accommodated in the order of priority in which they have arrived at such terminus or place. (3.) Nothing in'these regulations shall affect the right of the manager or other employco of any tramway, or of any constable, to ride on any portion of the carriage if his duty requires him so to do. IG. In determining the proper number ! of passengers (if any) who may bo allowed to stand in any carriage, tho Inspector shall, subject to the foregoing provisions, observe the following rules:— (a.) Where tho scats are longitudinal, or where they are arranged' across

CARRIAGES, APPLIANCES, AND ' FURNISHINGS.

tho carriage, and there is a clear • spaeo for tho ingress and egress of passengers through the length of the carriage, tho number, of passengers allowed to stand shall not exceed the number that can comfortably bo accommodated in a single line all facing one way along such clear space between the adjacent ■seats. (b.) lu tho case of carriages or portions of carriages where seats arc arranged across tho carriage?, and where the backs of such seats aro not reversible, and where such seats form compartments and there is no longitudinal corridor in the carriage, the .number of passengers allowed to stand shall not exceed half the number of- passengers for whom scats are provided in such compartment.

?' 4 Rising strap of suitable pattern and within; reasonable Teach shall be provided for, each standing passenger. 18. Notwithstanding anything in the preceding regulations, the Minister may, in tho caso of any tramway or of any section, or of any part of a tramway whero thegrado is steeper than 1 in 11, or where, in'his opinion, the brake-power of the carriage is insufficient, refuse to grant_ a license for the carriage of any standing passengers on that tramway or section or' part thereof, or may reduce the number for which a licenso may bo so granted to such number as lie tliinks fit.

19. (1.) The manager shall cause to be painted in block letters at least 11 inches high, and maintained in a prominent position on tho outer side of the dashboard of every carriage "at each end, a statement of the number of passengers which the carriage is licensed to carry, distinguishing between those for whom seats aro provided and those (if any) who may. stand; hut if tho licenso provides that no standing passengers are to be carried on any section or part of tho tramway, a statement to that effect must appear on the dashboard. If tho car is a double-deck car there shall be added the words "No passengers allowed to stand on top." (2.) Tho manager shall also causo to he painted. in a prominent position inside every carriage a notice, in block letters at least U inches high, of tho number of the seated and standing passengers respectively that may be carried inside that carriage.

80. The carriages on cach tramway-shall be numbered, and' no two carriages on tho saiiio tramway shall bear the same number, and neither the manager lior the promoters shall alter tho number of any carriage without the written consent of tho Minister.

21. The manager of every tramway shall from time to time, when requested so to do, supply the Minister with a full description of each carriage, in use on tho tramway, with its number.

22. Tho promoters shall provide on every carriage such appliances and furnishing; as will in the opinion of the .Minister he sufficient to insure the safety of passengers, of tho tramway employees, and of the general public, and in particular every such carriage—'

(a.) Shall _be provided with brakes which in the opinion of the Minister arc sufficient to stop the carriage within reasonable distance upon any grade on whicli that carriage is licensed to run, having regard to standard English practice: (b.) Shall have steps fitted in such a position that passengers shall easily enter or alight from the carriage; and if the Step of any carriage is not placed within 11 inches of the ground, the promoters shall provide and maintain on the carriage a moveable step which the conductor shall, oil request by any passenger, use in assisting that passenger to enter or alight: (c.) Shall have a compartment on the platform at each end of tho .carriage to be reserved for tho solo use of the niotorman and conductor: Provided that in the case of cablo-tram-way grip-carriages a central compartment shall bo so reserved for the exclusive use of tho driver thereof: (d.) Shall have effective and strong gates, doors, or bars provided for every entrance, to be closed on the oil side (meaning thereby tho righthand side whon looking in the direction in which the carriage is tra- ' veiling) of the' carriago during each

journey: ■ (e.) Shall have convenient grip-handles and hanging straps sufficient for tho safety of passengers and employees

wherever necessary: (f.) Shall ho provided with an automatic life-guard at each end, of a pattern to bo approved by the Min-

ister : (g.) Shall have a moveable seat or rest for the motorman. the height of which shall be sufficient to enable the controller-handles of tho carriage in the case of electric cars, or the reins or brake-handles where the carriage is drawn by horses, to bo easily worked by tho motorman; no seats are to be provided for tho , gripinan or niotorman oil cable cars, ' 01- for the driver on steam carriages: (h.) Shall hav® at each end • a loudsounding gong, so fixed as to enable the motoi-inan to give warning of "the

approach of the carriage: (i.) Shall, unless otherwise specially authorised by the Minister, have under the canopy at each end of tho carriago two'bells or gongs for the use of passengers, fixed one at each side at each end. Tho pair of gongs on - each side shall be connected by a leather .cord running through the carriago within easy reach of the passengers, who by pulling down tho • cord may ring tho gongs at each end. In the case -of trailer cars provision shall also be made to connect. the bell therein with the. bells on tho matorman's platform; and in the case of carriages carrying passen- • gers on t'op, suitable fittings shall he . installed at each end of the carriage toenablo those passengers to notify the -motorman of their desiro to alighi: (j.) Shall he provided with four sandboxes, placed so as to deliver sand on the rail close to and in front of tho leading-wheels on each side. • The top of the sand-boxes shall bo covered by a watertight cover. The tube delivering the sand to tho rail must be straight and non-callapsiblc, and must be held firmly in place as closo to the rail as possible. Tho boxes shall be provided with a heavy closing spring-valvo of a form which will deliver only a small quantity of sand each time the vnlve is opened. Tho' valve shnll. he so arranged as to bo easily operated by

the motorman: (k.) Shall, in the case of electric cars, have the handles of the brakes so arranged as to bo always under tho control of the right hand of the motorman. In cahlo cars the handles shall bo placed in the centre of- tho car so as to bo capable of operation by tho motorman by both or either hand. On electric cars the controller shall bo placed on t.lio lefthand side of the platform at each end of the carriago 50 as to be conveniently operated by tho left hand. Tho whole of the gear required to be manipulated by tho motormaa or conductor on any carriage

shall, as far as possible, bo of the same pattern on all carriages on tho tramway, and shall occupy the samo relative positions so that similar movements shall require; to be performed in all cases in tho working thereof.

(1) Shall, in order to prevent too much slack in the trolly-ropes, awl to keep them handy and ready for instant u.'e, have thereon a movable weight which will cause the rope to hang

in a biglit when the lower end is secured lo the dashrailhcad: (m) Shall have trolly-poles long enough to allow of the haul projecting beyond the tail of the carnage, so as to be easily visible to the eomhicior and be well under his control. In long carriages two trolly-poles must be iitted to comply with these requirements, and the upward push ol' the pole must be sufficient to prevent derailment during heavy gales of wind. Trolly-heads shall lint be immovably fixed on the pole, but shall lie jammed therein with .sufficient pressure only as will enable them to become easily detached in the event of their catching in the overhead equipment: (n) Shall, after sunset, have a powerful light in tho centro of tho outside of the dashboard at each end of the carriage. The light on the front dashboard shall show white, and that on the rear dashboard shall show red:, (o) Shall, after sunset, carry at each end of the carriage an oil, acetylene, or other lamp properly lighted: (p.) Shall, in addition to the lamps mentioned in the preceding sub-clause, liavo lamps fitted in such manner us may be sufficient to clearly illuminate the whole of tho interior of the carriage and the exterior platforms and steps while the same aro being used after sunset by passengers. Tho door or window of the carriage immediately behind tho inotornian's seat must be.opaque, so that iights going through the same shall not interfere with his vision when looking ahead: (q.) Shall, where tho carriage is an electric one, be provided witli a switch at each end, placed under the canopy and within easy reach of the fnotorman, for switching olf the current from the motors. Ot*» of these switches must combine the functions of an automatic circuit breaker or cut-out for protecting the motors against an excessivo rush of current should the power be applied too rapidly. If, however, the system of wiring adopted in such carriage be one in which tho two switches are in series, then in such case one only of such switches need be automatic, but if the switches are oil independent circuits, then in such case both switches must bo automatic: (r.) Shall, in the case of a douhle-dcck electric carriage, have a red lamp fixed under the canopy placed in scries with the trolly standard and earth, to indicate any leakage of current which from such a source would be dangerous to passengers: (s.) Shall, in the case of an electric carriage, also have a fuse cut-out as an additional precaution should the automatic switch fail to act. Itshould bo placed in an accessible position on the lower part of tho , carriage, where it will not injure anyone when blowing: (t.) Shall, in tho case of an electric carriage, also be supplied with one lightning-guard and the usual kick-ing-coil, to be fitted underneath the carriage and so that the gap which the lightning must jump shall bo 1-12 of an inch: (u.) Shall, in the case of sn >electric carriage, also have the power and reversing shafts interlocked, so that it is not possiblo to reverse Die motors while the power is on, or to apply ■ power while the reversing-handle is ill the off position, and it must also be possible to remove the handles only when in Ibe olf position : (v.) Shall have all the steps thereon rendered safe bv fixing thereto suitable indiarubber or slrips of roughened iron to prevent passengers from slipping thereon: (w.) Snail, in the case of a double-deck carriage, have no roof or covering whatever over the upper deck: (x.) Shall be fitted with approved route and destination indicators at each end and on each side; end indicators shall be placed on tho top of the canopy, and side indicators on the eaves on top. At night the route and destination indicators shall bo illuminated, aud the routes indicated by coloured lights: (y.) Shall have all other necessary appliances and furnishings used on sssr.xih.s" 1 '

LIMITS OF SPEED. 23. The limits of speed at which any carriage may run ou any particular route or ou any part of a tramway other than a cable tramway, shall, subject to the provisions hereinafter mentioned, he tho limits provided for in the order authorising the construction aiicl use of such tramway; but, notwithstanding anything in any such order, the speed on any down grade shall not in any ease be greater than the following :~ On a Down Grade. Kate per Hour: In main In thoroughsuburban fares districts outside in But cities and cities and Steeper not steeper boroughs, boroughs, than than Jliles. Miles. Level 1 in 20 18 12 lin 20 lin 15 15 10 lin 15 lin 12 ,10 K . lin 12 lin 8 7 5 lin 8 lin 6 5 3 24. Subject to the. last preceding regulation, or unless otherwise provided in the order authorising the construction and use of a tramway, or unless the speed is otherwise limited by any permit authorising tho tramway to be opened for traffic in pursuance of such order, no carriage on an electric or steam trainway shall be run at a greater speed than the following, viz.:— Along streets of a width not exceeding 33ft., eight miles per hour; Along streets of a width exceeding 33ft., but not exceeding -191 ft., twelve miles per hour;

Along streets of a width exceeding 49.1 ft„ eighteen miles per hour. In rounding easy angles on any road or street, whether in a borough or elsewhere, the speed shall not exceed six miles per hour; and in turning the square corners of streets in boroughs the speed shall not exceed four miles per hour. . Notwithstanding anything to tho contrary contained in any order or license, oi in these regulations, no carriage on anv tramway shall he ran on a street or rourf that is crowded with pedestrian or other traffic at a speed greater than four miles per hour, or at such lesser speed as may under tho circumstances be necessary for the safety of the public. 25. On cable tramways the speed shall not in any case exceed six miles per hour Regulations 2G to 30 deal with tho car report book. The final regulation, Number 31, reads:—

31. It any person to whom anv part of these regulations refers does anv act or thing that is thereby prohibited to be done, or fails or neglects to do any act or thing that is thereby directed to be done, such act or thing so done, or such failure or neglect to perform such act or thing, shall -respectively be deemed, to bo a breach of the regulation to which it has reference, and such person shall be liablo to- a fino not exceeding twenty pounds for cneh such breach, as the Court beforo whom the case is heard shall in its discretion determine, but such fine shall not bo imposed except by a magistrate.