GROSS FAVORITISM.

NZ Truth, Issue 12, 16 November 1907, Page 6

GROSS FAVORITISM.

Electric Tram Pets.

There appears to be a good deal of favoritism practised- on the Christchurch Electric trams', and some of the members of the Tramway Board must surely l?e cognisant of it. It isn't the cheese for some of the employees to be vigilantly watched and others allowed to do as they /darn well like. Yet it is so, and the system is a damnable one. Many a motorman and conductor is reported for nothing m particular by the Inspector who trots round and ' demands to see your ticket, and if you have thrown it away as a piece of worthless paper you •■' have to part the black half-crown or the, elusive thrummer once again. Which may be right enough from the Tramway Board's point of view, 'but not from the public's. Not long, ago an inspector reported a conductor for not taking a fare from a passenger. There was a row, and the conductor .was asked to explain. He was : able to prove that there were only two passengers on the car y at the time, and as he knew the other party he secured his evidence, which went to the effect that both- had 'paid al_m.pst simultaneously. That inspector has iseen -publicly told that his conduct would be printed m JOHN NORTON'S "TRUTH," consequently the employee who made the remark ■is a marked man. 'However, he is a good" man, and . didn't care a damn. - But .others', aren't ■>. reported at all, no matter how ' they break the blessed . regulations. Also, the .trafiicT manager,-; or the.-: Board, or the staff committee thereof, or some, nabob or other sacks some men who have been guilty of a venial or first offence of a serious nature, and have failed to 'do their obvious duty' m regard to some, men who haVedone far worse, and who have influence behind their back. Now, ", this .week when the Board met there was a,discussion about a motorman who had caused a collision out. bf'towir with another tram, - and it was recommended that he toe , discharged* This was acquiesced m; and the chap was .incontinently kicked' out. Well, we don't want reckless drivers on our trams, and the decision is no dotib't right, but "Truth" wants to know how it is that another motorman who has three collisions to his credit is still kept on ? - It is a scandalous " case, and the influence that keeps ■ him there may be guessed ! '