CITY TRAMWAYS.

Evening Post, Volume LXX, Issue 39, 15 August 1905, Page 5

CITY TRAMWAYS.

DISCUSSION BY THE MUNICIPAL

COUNCIL

CORPORATION TO CONSTRUCT ITS

OWN OARS.

ARE THE TRAMWAYS OVER-

STAFFED?

Some discussion took place at yesterday's meeting of the City Council on a recommendation of the Tramways Committee which read as follows : — "That a building, to serve as a temporary workshop, be erected at the carsheds, "at an estimated cost of £850 ; and that the necessary woodworking machinery be purchased at a cost of £500. With these additions the Corporation will be enabled to undertake the construction of any new tramcars required."

Councillor Carmichael : "Tins clause implies that the 'city is' going to manufacture its own cars.".

The Mayor : "That is so."

Councillor Carmichael thought they should bo told approximately what- say« ing there was likely to be Councillor' Godber referred to what he termed the unsatisfactory in which the tramways here run at the present time. To his mind the whole system was overloaded with officers. Now the Committee wanted to put up a temporary building in which to manufacture its own. cars. This would mean more- overseers, inspectors, etc. He thought they might with advantage go into the Avhole of the working of the system and see if some saving could not bo made. He movedthat the clause be referred to the Committee.

Councillor Cohen pointed out that' it would be a considerable time before they would need any more cars. He complained that reports on the tramways were not brought down now as they used to be, but he subsided .upon being, informed by the Mayor that he was not correct. Councillor Ballinger informed tho Coun^ oil that the workshop was intended chiefly for ropairs. Referring fo Councillor Godber's remarks re the increase in the staff, he thought that with perhaps the addition of one man the present staff "could do all the work.

Councillor Winder was surprised to hear Councillor Godber, a member of the 'Industrial Association, objecting to cars be-f ing built in the city. ' . Councillor Godber objected to the in.terpretation placed on his words by Councillor Winder.,, . ... Councillor Winder, continuing, said there were only four inspectors on tbo tramways now, in place of eight or nino under the Council's Jato engineer. Ho thought the Committee had done well in urging the erection of tEV building. Councillor Bjss hoped Councillor Godber s words would' not carry too much weight. ■ The building.was reeded. " The men would not be repairing all tho time, and they must be given 'something as a stand-by job. -, He did not think they could be employed on better work, than that of building new cars. They had their engineer's word that the work' could be carried out by them as cheaply and as well as it could be done anywhere in the I cit ?-

Councillor" M'Laren supported tho motion of the Cominittcs, and pointed out that other Corporations built their oVn cars. If they have too many officers engaged m the running of trams, as armied by Councillor Godber, that was no raison for refusing to extend the tram system me Mayor, speaking in reference to Councillor Godber's remarks as to tho staff, regretted that he (Councillor Godber)- was not modern' in his information. It might have been said at one time, lhey had now only half the ticket irspectors that they had in Mr. Wright's time. The staff was working night and day, and there were certainly no lazy persons on it. It was absurd "to say that a number of the people counted by Council Godber m his li st . were on the staff. lUe Council was now in communication 2 A f u ?w d ™ lh re & ard *> X stefi; etc.,. of the tramways fhere, and a coml parative return was being made np •.Councillor Carrnichael pointed out that norfLVT^^ the Collncil »*« importong a ll the underneath gear. In his opirnon the question had not been gone into by a practical man. b wr a \" endati ° a ° f the Committ "