TRAMWAY REGULATIONS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16523, 6 September 1921, Page 8

TRAMWAY REGULATIONS.

BEQUEST FOR GAZETTING. QUESTION OF OVERCROWDING. {.Special to the “ Star.*’) WELLINGTON, September G. A deputation from the New Zealand Traimvaymen’s Federation interviewed the Minister of Public Works (Hon J. G. Coates) to urge the gazetting of the tramway regulations which are enid to lx? eleven years overdue. Mr Monteit.h, the general secretary, declared that in Christchurch there had been a fatal accident to a motorman, and that there had been minor accidents on other systems every week which might be avoided if the regulations operated. Overcrowding was a serious cause of trouble and the statutory provision for a clear centre passageway was nullified. Overcrowding was scandalous in Christchurch, Dunedin and Wellington. The proposed regulations allowed 50 per cent of the passengers standing in excess of the seating accoinmodajtion. There had recently been one collision weekly in Auckland. The speaker suggested that the best standing apparatus available should be made the standard. Mr H. T. Armstrong stated that Christchurch was the worst overcrowding centre. One conductor was often in charge of two over-crowded trams. This board ought to be obliged to have one conductor for each car. 'Hie Minister asked if the deputation looked at the other side of the difficulty •experienced by local bodies in financing additional cars and power. Their trams had not. done too well. Mr Monteith: We have considered it fully. Only one tramwav board had insufficient power for additional cars, but it now has a surplus power. Mr Hobbs, president of the Tramway Men’s Federation, asked that the regulations not inflicting hardship be immediately gazetted, and that a conference be held with the tram authorities regarding the remaining matters. The Hon. J. G. Coates replied that tlie Department had been busy with a draft of the regulations and there were many suggested amendments. The question was whether these should be gazetted or whether the whole proposals should be subject to a conference. The Crown Law Office considered that the •>0 per cent overcrowding regulation was ultra vires because the Act stated 75 per cent of seating. Finally the Minister promised to print a draft of tjie regulations, and to call a conference of the tramwav authorities and the men’s represent--4 ntires within a fortnight.