k. fEAUCfi;

69

I.—9a.

76. In subclause 3 of clause 9 the motorman is to enter any report he thinks fit?— Yes. 77 Do you say that the words ' he thinks fit ' ought to come out ?—There is not the slightest doubt about that. * The statute compels the Board to provide a book, and then says the motorman may, if he thinks fit, make an entry 78. Clause 10, "Inquiries as to accidents": You object to that, I understand?— Yes. We object practically, of course, to the Bill, but the Government has great power under its Orders in Council. If an inquiry or inquest is held, we have to report to the Minister 79. Clause 13, subclause (a) : I understand you object to supplying copies of your Order in Council at Is. per copy, but you suggest that it might be made available to any one who wanted to look at it? —Yes. 80. I understand it costs more than Is. per copy to print?— Yes. 81 Mr O'Shea.] Have you ever considered what the effect of clause 2 would be in the event of a strike?—lt would mean the hanging-up of the whole of the trams. 82 Do you know of any people or association in Christchurch except the Tramways Union that want this Bill at all?— No. 83. Mr Bosser ] Under clause 2, I understand you to say there is a severe medical examination required of your candidates?— Yes. 84. Do the Board or the motormen have to pay for that? —The Board. 85. Would the fact of a man possessing a Government certificate do away with the need for a medical examination necessarily in your case?—No; I think it is one of the most vital parts in connection with a motorman's qualifications to have a test made of his eyesight. 86. Then you are of opinion that the Government medical examination should not be done away with? —It should not be done away with. 87 You are of opinion that Christchurch motormen could .not drive in Auckland, because of the local conditions ?—Yes. 88. Have you ever had an Auckland motorman come to Christchurch and drive there?— Not without going through our examination, to the best of my belief Mr Thompson could answer that question better than I. 89 Do you not think it would improve the status of a motorman in the matter of theory if he had a Government examination?— No. 90. Are your present examinations uniform in character ?—They are, so far as I know 91 Is there any danger of any candidate with influence getting through the examination easier than a total stranger in Christchurch?—Not the slightest. 92. Clause 5, with regard to overcrowding: Have you municipal by-laws to govern you with regard to overcrowding the cars?—l think not. We are a body set up by special Act. 93. Are there any members of your Board who are also members of the City Council? —No. 94. Then the Christchurch City Council has not thought it necessary to pass any by-laws with regard to overcrowding on your cars?— No. 95. You say the Board always opposed the overcrowding of the cars?— Yes. 96. On what grounds?—On the ground of the convenience of the public and the convenience of the conductor in collecting fares. 97 Is there not also another good reason, that it is too severe on the framework and equipments of the car?—As far as Christchurch is concerned that does not apply We have no grades. 98. Do you remember, in June, 1908, the conductors going to the Board with a protest against overcrowding?—l rather think I was away , in Australia in 1908. Yes, Ido remember 99 Let me quote from the hyUdton Times of the 9th June, 1908 " Mr. Pearce said the men had held out a rather foolish threat with reference to enforcing the by-law relating to overcrowding, because the Board made its own by-laws and could easily do away with that." Do you remember that? —Yes. 100. That relates to the by-laws of the Board?— Yes. 101 What are the by-laws of the Board ?-r-Tliey are put in for the inspection of this Committee. 102. What did you mean when you said that the Board could easily do away with that?—We could simply repeal the by-law if we considered it necessary. 103. And have no check on overloading at all"?— No. The Board, as I said before, opposes overloading, but in certain cases it is impossible to avoid it. 104. Have you kept in close touch with the systems in other parts of the Dominion with regard to overcrowding?— Yes. I think I can safely say the cars in Christchurch are not overcrowded in the same way they are in the other centres. 105. Are you aware that the condiVctors and motormen in Auckland will not take one passenger over the licensed number if they are aware of it ?—I have heard of that. 106. I noticed that you stated that at rush times it is impossible to keep the public off the cars: has it been tried in Christchurch? —Yes. I meant that passengers returning from the racecourse would simply pack the car by standing inside. 107 Have your employees ever tried to check it ?—I believe they have. 108. Has the Board ever assisted them to do so?—I said before that the Board has always been opposed to overloading the cars. 109. But has the Board ever assisted the men in regard to that?—Do you mean by instructions? 110. Yes? —That I could not say You will get that from Mr Thompson. 11l Has the Board power to prosecute passengers who overcrowd a car when told to get off ?—Under our by-laws I believe we have power to prosecute. 112. Has the Board ever prosecuted passengers for overcrowding? —That I could not say