TRAMWAY DANGERS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8559, 23 October 1913, Page 9

TRAMWAY DANGERS

ALTERATION OF CARS BILL IN COMMITTEE. NINE MONTHS’ PERIOD FIXED. Further consideration of the problem arising out of the dangerous footboards on many municipal tramway cars was given by members of the House of Representatives last evening, when the committee stage of tho measure was reached. Before tho Speaker loft the chair, however, the Hon. W. F. Massey said he was informed, and ho believed correctly, that a largo number of members wore now anxious that this bill should be referred to a committee, in order to give tho people concerned, and especially the representatives of tho municipalities at Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin, an opportunity of coming before tho committee and tendering evidence. They would thus convey their opinions to the House. If the statements made to him woro correct, he would suggest that Mr Statham be given an opportunity of moving his motion already on the order paper for tho appointment of a select committee to take evidence on the subject of tramway accidents. If it were tho will of the House to agree to this motion, said Mr Massey, ho would suggest that the Minister for Public Works should defer consideration of tho bill till it had gone before tbo committee, always on the understanding that the committee report in seven days. MR DAVEY OBJECTS. Mr Davey (Christchurch East) objected to this procedure, and as the unanimous consent of the House was required, Mr Statham’s motion could not he proceeded with. The House then went into committee on the bill. On clause 3, providing for the cars to be provided with central passage ways by March next, the Hon, Mr Fraser said he thought it would bo necessary to alter the date proposed. A number of cars would have to be taken off, and inconvenience would result There was also the Christmas traffic to be thought of. The Wellington Corporation had said they could not alter tho cars under twelve months.' Ho thought they could do it in a little loss time if they pushed on the work. NINE MONTHS SUGGESTED. Mr T. H. Davey (Christchurch East) considered that nine months was a reasonable period for the Christchurch and Wellington authorities to alter their cars, for they had said that twelve months would be sufficient. He moved an amendment to that effect. The clause would then road that the cars must he converted hy August Ist, 1014. All ho wanted was that the footboards should be done away with as soon as possible. Mr H. J. Okey (Taranaki), chairman of tho Petitions Classifications Committee,, said that two petitions had been received, one from tho corporation of Wellington, and one from tho Mayor of Dunedin. As there was no committee dealing with tramway matters to which the petitions could ho referred, lie had sent them straight to the Minister for Public Works. Tho latter, however, said he could not accept them, explaining that they should be sent to the proper committee. Mr Okoy wanted to know what was to bo done with tho petitions. Mr Malcolm (Chairman of Committees) said that was a point for Mr Speaker to rule upon. Mr W. H. D. Bell (Wellington Suburbs) said that he would suggest that the period should be fixed at twelve months, reducible by three months if the Minister for Public thought fit. TRIFLING WITH THE HOUSE. Mr H. Poland (Ohinemuri) said that judging from tho experience they had iiud of tho Wellington city corporation, the House should say, if the corporation offered to do the work in twelve months, that they wore required to do it in Mix months. (Hear, hear.) Ho considered the member for Christchurch East had been far .too reasonable. There was no doubt the Wellington corporation had trifled With the House and had trifled with tho lives of their employees. Mr H. Atmoro (Nelson) also hoped that there would be no alteration, from four to nine months. The committee divided on tho question at 10.41 p.m., whether the word “March” should bo struck out. This ,vas carried by 41 votes to 31. Mr Davey’s amendment was then put and carried on the voices. ANOTHER AMENDMENT. Mr Frgser said that he had been informed, in connection with Auckland tramways, that there were certain compartments put on those cats for the purpose of separating the motormen, and he moved an amendment to the effect that tho passage-way should bo provided from end to end of “such

part of tho car as is reserved for passengers.” Mr C. E. Statham regretted that the bill bad not been sent to the committee, as they were groping in the dark. If this amendment were carried, tlie Dunedin, corporation would want it applied. Mr hr user ; ‘Tt applies to the whole Dominion, not to Auckland alone.” Mr Davey said a passage-way was necessary from end to end of tho car. If a conductor had to go round a small piece of footboard to get Irom tho passenger department to his own space at the roar of tho car it was as dangerous as a long footboard. Mr Fraser suggested the following additional words: —"Except as regards mch cars whore tho end compartment is exclusively reserved lor motormen, in which case the central passageway shall extend over into the part of the car reserved for passengers.” Thi';, however, was not acceptable to Mr Davey, who said he wanted the passageway from end to end. Mr Fraser, by leave of tho committee. withdrew his amendment. Mr J. H. Bnadney then moved a pro* viso as follows:—"Provided that this shall not apply to tho type of cars at present used in Auckland.” Mr Fraser could not allow this danse to proceed. The name of tho particular car under discussion should ho put in the amendment. It was shown in tho discussion that the type of car was tho closed-front bogey oar, and Mr Veitch pointed out that similar oars were run at Wanganui, though they wore not called bogoy oars. They 'wanted to ensure that tho conductor should not have to go upon the step in pursuance of his duty while tho car was in motion. MINISTER’S APPROVAL. Mr Fraser proposed an amendment tx> the effect that tho bill should not apply to any oar, similar in interior arrangement to the double-platform, bogey cars at present in uso at Auckland. Mr Q. W. Russell suggested th piths Minister should bo made responsible for tho safety of the car, and that the Minister’s approval bo given to cars only on his being satisfied that there was no danger to the mon. Tho proviso was agreed to on the voices. HIGH STEPS. Mr Witty moved a new clou so that) steps be so fitted that passengers might safely enter or alight; tho first step not to bo more than fourteen inches from the ground, and no stops more than fourteen inches apart. Mr Fraser said he would take care that none of tho new oars had anything like the high steps tho present palaco cars had. Tho new clause was agreed to on tho voices. The hill was reported with amend*monts at 0.40 a.m.