TRAMWAY BOARD.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2126, 7 December 1920, Page 3

TRAMWAY BOARD.

YESTERDAYS -MEETING. The Cliristclturch Tramway Board met yesterday, there being present: The Hon. J. Barr, M.L.C. (chairman), Messrs W. J. Walter," J. Wood, S. A. Staples, H. Pcarcc, G. T. Booth, D. Sykes, and A. S. Taylor. The New Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Association wrote agreeing to give land for corner improvements in connection with the Coronation Street extension. The following is the revenue account for' the month ended October 24, 1920, showing! a comparison with the corresponding period last year, the figures for which arc given in parentheses :—Earnings from operation, £17,389 (£13,9:19); operating expenses, £13,353 (£10,778); net earnings from operation, £lOl6 (£3101); deficiency, £7lO (£1521). * The Works and Traffic Committee rei ported that the revenue account for the four . weeks ended October 24 was useful for com--1 parison purposes, because of the, absence of holidays, thus showing normal traffic results and the effect of recent increases in fares. Compared with the same period in the previous year, the earnings have increased by £3400 and the operating expenses by £257.5. Car miles run increased by 4* per cent. Passengers carried decreased by 7 per cent., but revenue increased by 25 p<r cent. A slight decrease in passengers following an increase in fares was to be expected. After allowing for standing charges the deficiency for the four weeks totals £7lO, as against a deficiency in the corresponding period for the previous year of £1524. Standing charges will increase substantially as soon as new rolling stock and new plant and tracks are brought into operation, and also operating expenses will experience a sharp rise in the next period, as the recent cost-of-living bonus is now being paid. The month's record of accidents was:— Collision with vehicles G, alighting from moving trams 12, boarding moving trams 1, collisions with pedestrians 2, collision with motor-cycle 1; total 22. The committee recorded its appreciation of the efficiency and expedition shown by the engineer and staff in carrying out the alterations at the Bank of New Zealand corner. The rails and special work had all been laid out and marked beforehand, ind the only rail-cutting done on the job was in connection with the old work, which could best be fitted on the job. This matter, bowever, did not interfere with or prolong the other work. The traffic supervisor and traffic staff generally also deserved praise for the manner in which the disorganised traffic was conducted. A similar interruption will be experienced when Broadway's corner is reached. The advantage of having

another track, aloufi Manchester Street, thus providing ah additional route from north and south, along which traflic could he diverted when trouble of this or similar kind is experienced, must he manifest. Tenders are to be invited for supply of tickets and uniforms for a period of two years. During the War period, old contracts were renewed, from time to time, at increased prices on each occasion, but, with the approach of more stable conditions, it it desirable that contract lie put on a more permanent basis. Provisions will be made for-"fluctuations in wages. The report was adopted with the exception of that part referring to uniforms, which was referred back to the committee for further consideration.