H.—24

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APPENDIX 111. MINUTES OF EVIDENCE. Auckland, Monday, 18th April, 1910. The Chairman. —I will first ask the Secretary to read the commission. Commission read. The Chairman. —Who is represented here? Mr. Myers. —The Auckland Electric Tramways Company is represented here. 1 appear on behalf of the company. Mr. Rosser. —As secretary of the Auckland Tramways Union I am authorised to represent the union at this inquiry, and along with me are three motormen, Paul Richardson, Henry Carter, and John Willis. Mr. WylUe. —l represent the Auckland City Council. The Chairman. —As the commission states, some doubts have arisen as to the efficiency of the brakes on the Auckland tramways. A previous Commission sat on the subject, and a certain amount of evidence was given before a Committee of the House of Representatives. I have to call on Mr. Myers to explain the position he will now take up. Mr. Myers. —I would first say a word as to the procedure I suggest should be adopted. I have mentioned the matter to Mr. Rosser. I propose first of all to outline the history of this matter, relating to the Auckland brakes. Mr. Rosser, after I have done, would like to say a few words to the Commission, and suggest that he would then like to call certain evidence before the company calls its evidence. I think that is the most suitable course to adopt. The Chairman. —I see no objection to, the course. Mr. Myers. —Then I will briefly outline the position, and in doing so I will indicate the position that the Auckland Tramways Company takes up. I do not propose to go into matters in detail now, because I assume that if necessary the opportunity will be given to me later on, after evidence has been given, to address the Commissioners with regard to that evidence. Now, so far as the terms of the commission are concerned, I suggest that the proceedings may be shortened to some extent. I notice that one of the questions the Commissioners are asked to answer is this: " Whether, having regard to the grades of the said tramways, to the speeds at which cars travel thereon, to the congested street traffic, to the safety of the public, and also to the provisions of clause 48, Part 111, of the Second Schedule of the Tramways Act, 1908, the system of brakes already adopted or any of them are suitable, efficient, and sufficient for use on the said tramways." It is necessary that I should say a few words with regard to that particular question. To clear away any misunderstanding that may exist in the minds ot the Commissioners or in the minds of the public generally, I may say that the Auckland Electric lramwavs Company commenced business here about eight years ago. It installed upon its cars a certain system of brakes, which were approved, and which had to be approved under the Government Orders in Council by the Engineer of the Public Works Department. With that system of brakes there was a hand-brake operating on the wheels; a track brake, also operated by hand, and an electric emergency brake. The company has always consistently taken up the position,.and it still says, that those brakes are perfectly safe and efficient; but it is unnecessary, I think, it 1 may respectfully make the suggestion, that the Commissioners should enter into an inquiry with re?ard to that first question, because, for reasons I will indicate, although the company i satisfied that those brakes are efficient and safe, the company ever since this brake que tion has arisen was always prepared, and is now prepared, to do what it considers the right thing. In Xr words, i "has been prepared to alter its braking system, because, while it considers that that is perfectly safe, it recognises that, for reasons I will indicate, it is desirable, if not necesto work harmoniously with the Government and with the employees of the; Tramway Comnln^"to alto the system. It is important to bear in mind the origin of this difficulty in re 3 to the brake I may say that the objection to the brakes did not arise in the first place S the Department. It arose in consequence of the oompUinta made by the motorm r- and the reason of the complaints was that the application of this brake operating on he wheals involved a considerable amount of hard work. That is the origin of -hole difficulty. Thrcompany admits that that hand-brake does involve a considerable amount of hard work and as I have stated, it recognises that it is necessary, in order to work harmoniously with the it P i S prepared *™& question that may be at issue. We are prepared ™ Pin, y