The City Tramways.

Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 20, 26 January 1888, Page 2

The City Tramways.

• THE ARBITRATORS' AWARD. The award of the arbitrators between the proprietors of the City Tramwayß and the City Council as to the terms on which the concession is to be renewed, was taken up to-day by the proprietors. The arbitrators were Mr. Gale on behalf of the proprietors, Mr. Higginson for the Corporation, and Mr. J. R. Blair as umpire. The costs amounted to £148. The substance of the award is briefly that a further concession for 15 years is to be granted to Messrs. Grace and Greenfield at a rental of J5lOO per annum for the first five years, .£l5O a year for the second fire years, and .£2OO a year for the third five years. At tho end of the 15 years nil rights on the part of the proprietors are to absolutely cease and determine without compensation, but prjor to the termination of the concession the premises, plant, &0., are to be valued, and this valuation, as a going concern, but without goodwill, is to be paid to the proprietors by whoever may obtain a fresh concession. The proprietors are to maintain the roadway, Ac, a.c heretofore, but they are relieved of having to carry road metal or live stock. They are to run trams regularly at stated times between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., and the fare is not to exceed 3d between those hours. School children are to be allowed monthly or fortnightly tickets at 5s and 2a 6d, respectively. A siding is to be made in the extension of Cuba-street to Victoria-street, so as to relieve traffio in Manners-street. The Corporation is to have power to sanction extensions of the tram line in other streets, and may also sanction any change in the motive power employed. A large number of formal matters are provided for, but the above are the main provisions of the award.