TRAMWAYS BOARD.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 826, 3 October 1916, Page 12

TRAMWAYS BOARD.

YESTERDAY'S MEETING. The Christcliurch Tramways Board met yesterday, when there were present: Messrs C. M. Gray (chairman), J. A. Flesher, H. Pearce, G. T. Booth, A. S. Taylor, S. A. Staples, T. H. Davey, D. Sykes, and the Hon. J. Barr. WORKS AND TRAFFIC COMMITTEE'S REPORT.

The Works and Traffic. Committee reported as follows: —The revenue account for the four weeks ended September 3 was the first statement submitted during the current financial year in which an increase iu the net eanyngs was recorded. The increase was £417. The gross earnings, as compared with the corresponding period last year increased by £B4O, and the operating expenses increased by £42:). After allowing for £l6l, wages paid to men on active service, the surplus for the month was £BO4, as compared with £483 last year. There was still much leeway to be made up when the previous months of this year were included. The deficiency for the current year to date was £2507. Last year at the same time it was £393. This year, during the 14 weeks ended July' 9, the returns from cash fare tickets decreased by £1571, while the sales of concession tickets increased by £1567. The number of jour neys taken by the public was, of course, much larger." The public, therefore, had received considerably increased benefits for practically the same money. The committee had received an application for a shelter at the New Brighton terminus. Tho weather protection i there is better than at many other j stops, and it could not recommend that j this particular application be granted. | On race days a section of single track , was unavoidably used by cars waiting for the return race traffic, and the committee had been requested to overcome | this trouble by laying a duplicate track from the Sockburn shed to the racecourse. In view of the fact that very few people were inconvenienced, that only \ wo trips were affected, and only on a few days in the year, the committee could not recommend the expenditure.

The Avouside Burgesses' Association i had asked for certain alterations in the time-table, which could not be satisfactorily made until the track was duplicated in Worcester Street, but the wishes of the majority of the people should be ascertained, and until this evidence was forthcoming, the committee was disposed to adhere to the present departure times. In order to cope more satisfactorily with the dust nuisance, the committee proposed to purchase another fourwheeled sprinkler, with track cleaner attached.

Much of the workshop plant was now [becoming obsolete, and better results I would follow if up-to-date machinery 'were installed. This would cost a considerable amount, and further inquiries were being made as to whether the increased efficiency was sufficient to justify the increased capital expenditure. The committee had obtained from its engineer a comprehensive report as to the condition of the permanent way throughout the system. In a number of cases renewals of rails, points, etc., must be faced shortly. The surface condition of the track was, with a few exceptions, reported to be in good condition, and compared favourably with the condition of the adjacent roadway, and with the standard of repair adopted in other centres. The attention of the committee had also been directed to the lighting of cars. An improvement would necessitate a complete rearrangement of the internal wiring, and the committee was of the opinion that the lighting of the older cars was not so poor as to justify i the heavy expenditure which would be i necessary.

The report was adopted. OVERLAPPING

It was decided to refer a letter received from the Addington, Riccartou, and Spreydon Burgesses' Associations, asking that the system of overlap sections should be adopted on the Lincoln Road, to the ,Works and Traffic Committee for its consideration and report. THE RAILWAY STATION SERVICE. The Lyttelton Borough Council wrote pointing out the need for improvement in the present system by which cars were sent to the Railway Station. Great inconvenience was caused by an apparent clashing of the time-tables. The general manager reported that it was impossible to arrange the Papauui timetable so that all trains "out" and "in" were met. The arrival and departure times of trains were inserted in the tramway working time-table, and every effort was made to meet trains when it was possible to do so. Motormeu were instructed to delay their departure from Christcliurch Railway Station two minutes if necessary. To ex-! ceed this wait would affect the Papanui service prejudicially. Inspectors were also on duty at important train trips to supervise tram running. Trains did not always arrive to time, and even if:

a car was set aside specially for service between the Square au.l' railway, it could not serve all incoming ami' outgoing trains. A special railway service was put on in 1906, at the time of the Exhibition, and continued for six months after the Exhibition closed. The receipts then were 4}d per car mile, whereas the operating expenses, apart from interest and other standing charges, were 9d. It was then noticed that the bulk of Lyttelton people arriving by the early morning business trains preferred to walk the short distance into town rather than use the special car. The matter was referred to the Works mid Traffic Committee.