TRAMWAYS BOARD.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 1231, 22 January 1918, Page 7

TRAMWAYS BOARD.

YESTERDAY'S MEETING.

The Christchurch Tramways Board met yesterday afternoon, when there were present: Messrs C. M. Gray (chairman), D. Sykes, S. A. Staples, J. A. Flesher, A. S. Taylor, H. Pearce, G. T. Booth, and the Hon. J. Barr

The Works Committee reported that the revenue account for four weeks ended December 23 showed a surplus of only £l3l, as against a surplus in the corresponding period last year of £777. Wet Anniversary Day and only one race day at New Brighton accounted for a drop in receipts of £364, and Sunday traffic returns were down £23(5. The increase in ordinary week-day traffic very nearly made up for those decreases, as the total traffic on all lines showed a decrease of £lsl only. The operating expenses had increased £5Ol, made up as follows:—Traffic expenses, principally wages, £487; repairs and maintenance, £112; general expenses, £3. Power expenses had decreased £lOl. The committee had agreed to pay £l9 towards the cost of erecting manuka barricades on New Brighton Esplanade to arrest drifting sand. It had offered to supply and deliver 1.000 yards of shingle to the borough at 5/- per yard. The request of the New Brighton Borough Council for a contribution towards the cost of erecting public conveniences at North Brighton was under consideration.

The report was adopted. Accounts amounting to £15,936 19/1 were passed for payment. The Minister of Public Works (the Hon. W. Fraser) wrote in reply to the board's suggestion that a commission should be sot up to fix depreciation rates for local bodies, stating that he regretted that he could not see his way clear to take up the suggestion.

The Hon. G. W. Russell (Minister of Internal Affairs) also wrote to the same effect. Mr Barr moved that the matter be referred to the Municipal Association and other similar municipal bodies as the board be communicated with to obtain their co-operation. Mr Flesher seconded the motion, which was carried.