NO JACKS ON TRAMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20339, 21 August 1929, Page 14

NO JACKS ON TRAMS.

DELAYS AT ACCIDENTS.

TRANSPORT BOARD POLICY. THE SYSTEM OF STATIONS. A recent accident in Qneen Street, wlicn ,1 woman was pinned lieneath a tramcar, and 12 minutes elapsed before she was released. led to a discussion by tlie Auckland Transport Board yesterday, tlio dehalo turning upon the question whether jacks should ho carried on the tjams. Tlio traffic superintendent, Mr. J. Morgan, replying to a question, said that when a, jack was procured from one of I he jack stations in Queen Street it had no effect in releasing tho woman's foot, which was wedged firmly between tlio front wheel and the truck.

"The advantage of the system of jackstations, as opposed to having jacks on the cars, is that they can be kept in much better order (and at much less risk of damage or loss) under the control of the officer who instructs tho men in their use," said the engineer, Mr. F. E. de Ouerrier, in a report. "1 hero are no clovernment regulations in forco as regards jacks, but from time to time regulations have been drafted and submitted to tho various tramway authorities for their consideration and criticism. The first proposal was to provide jack-stations at intervals of not less than half-a-mile. Later it was suggested, as an alternative, that two jacks might bo carried on each car. Views of Tramway Experts.

"In May, 1924, ;i conference) representing tramways authorities and t ho New Zealand Tramways Employees' Federation was held in Wellington to discuss proposed regulations, and a sub-committee, consisting of Messrs. Cablo and McGillivwray, of tho Wellington tramways, the city solicitor, Wellington, and the manager of tho Auckland tramways, was appointed to draw up a series of regulations, which it did, hut apparently nothing has since transpired. The clause in connection with jacks proposed by this sub-committee read: 'Every car shall, unless jacks are provided at stations not moro than half-a-milo apart, carry one 5-ton lifting jack.' " Mr. do Guerrier said that there were 87 jack-stations in Auckland, so placed that at no time was a car moro than a quarter of a mile from one. At each station there were two jacks, ono ramp, a 40ft. rope, two bars for jacks and two wooden packing-blocks. They were in charge of a motor instructor, who regularly examined them and kept tho appliances in proper working order, and instructed all motormcn and conductors in their use. As recently as the end of last month all inotormen and conductors were put through their refresher course of instruction. Tho stations were painted green, with a broad yellow band and a key was supplied to all motormen, conductors and inspectors. Moreover, printed notices, showing the positions of the stations on the various routes, were posted in every car. Danger After Midnight. Mr. L. E. Rhodes expressed the opinion that a crowbar would have been of assistance in the recent accident. That all trams running after 11.30 p.m. should be fitted with jacks was the view of Mr. F. S. Morton, who said the fact that a great many street lamps were extinguished at midnight added an element of delay into the arrival of jacks at the scene late at night. Mr. de Guerrier said the trouble was that it was seldom known in advance what the last cars would be. Mr. E. H. Potter asked that the engineer should furnish a report on recent improvements in lifting appliances. He thought that power for such a purpose might be obtained from tho overhead wires. Mr. M. J. Coyle said that he could not see why jacks should not be carried on the trains now that the board was ordering new car« It was very painful for people to look on at an accident while officers were sent a distance of perhaps aquartcr of a mile to procure a jack. There should be some first-aid equipment on every train Mr. j. Wood: Are the jacks so cumbersome that thev cannot be carried on the trams ? Mr. do Guerrier: They are pretty heavy. The Chairman: Tho management will bring down a report. Mr. M. J. Covle: Well, we expect something better than we have at present got. Danger of Wider Trams.

A complaint regarding tho proposal to increnso the width of new tramcars irom 7ft. 6in. to Bft. was received from tho City Council, which suggested that an element of danger would bo introduced to traffic inspectors on point duty. _ On several occasions officers had complained of the'narrowness of tho space on intersections when the in and out trains were proceeding simultaneously, and the danger was moro pronounced when the officers were wearing their greatcoats. Tho engineer pointed out that as tho track centres were 10ft. 6in. wide on account of the? presence of centre-poles, there was considerably more room between passing trams than was the case in many other cities where the track-centres were not more than Bft. 6in. wide. Mr. Phelan said that it was a general practice for people to stand between passing tramcars and considerable dancer existed from this habit already. TTe thought that the time was coming shortly when the city would have to resort to automatic signalling for traffic purposes in the busier localities. It was decided to take no action.