G. T. BOOTH.]

79

I.—9a.

100. Supposing a man appeals, brings evidence, and proves his innocence, how would that have a prejudicial effect on the discipline of the service?—l do not think it would. If he does .that now he is reinstated. 101 If that were done by an independent Appeal Board, would it aSect the discipline? —No. It would depend very largely on the evidence brought forward. 102. Do I understand that you have a clause in your agreement that seniority, record, and suitability shall be taken into, consideration in making promotions?— That is in the Arbitration Court awards. 103 Is that always followed out?— Yes. The service is divided into branches, and seniority in the branch in which the promotion is to be made has to be taken into account. 104. Have you any knowledge of men in your service being promoted over others?— No. Men must be taken as A, B, and C : C may be unsuitable, and B may be put over his head. 105 You say that evidence is not always procurable in the matter of complaints against conductors? —Yes. 106. You cannot always get evidence from the passengers, and would not ask them to give evidence?— Yes. Supposing your daughter had been insulted in a tram-car, would you have her go to Court and retail the circumstances ? 107 You mentioned such an offence as a significant look in a man's eye or a gesture?— Yes. 108. Would you think it right to have a man's future imperilled by loss of employment through a significant look in his eye or a gesture?—l was careful to say that a first complaint of that kind was scrutinized with some care, and very frequently was not taken account of simply because we could not produce evidence to justify the man's punishment; but that if a second complaint came before the Board, that lent colour to the first, or a third, fourth, fifth, and sixth case, then the Board would act. 109 If a lady were ordered off a crowded car by one of your conductors, would she not have a tendency to report that man for insolence? —It would depend on circumstances. If he were rude to her no doubt she would be inclined to do so. We do not take action on every complaint that comes before us. We have a great many complaints that certainly dp not deserve following up. 110. Do you realize that your conductors have to put up with impudent passengers?— Yes, and I sympathize with them. They require a considerable amount of character and a lot of selfrestraint. 111 Do you know that an insolent "passenger might report a conductor, and his conduct might be an excuse to a certain extent? —The conductor would not be blamed in a case of that sort. 112 Is it your opinion that your Orders in Council already, in effect, provide for what is asked for in the Bill? —Not exactly They are to be open for inspection by anybody at any reasonable time, but to ask us to print a number of copies to furnish every one who wants a copy, I think, is rather ridiculous. The articles of association of every company have to be lodged in a place open to the public, for obvious reasons, but the company cannot be compelled to supply any one witli copies. 113 With regard to your cars, some take trailers, do they not?— Yes. 114. What is the number of trailers you allow to each car?— One is the usual thing On some journeys two are employed. 115. Not more than two?—l should not like to say " not more than two." That is all provided for in the Order in Council. It is possible to use trailers in flat country llfi. Does the air brake apply right through the two trailers?— Some trailers have air brakes on them, but lam not sure of that. You must not ask me technical questions. 117 Mr Luke ] Could a motorman trained in Christchurch do the work in Dunedin or Auckland?—l should say not. 118. We had it this morning that an additional car working an eighteen-hours daj- would cost £2,920 per annum? —Yes. 119 If a paternal Government compelled you to put on more cars it would soon swallow up jour revenue?— Yes. 120. Apart from the conductors, are any of your clerks training as motormen?—l do not think so The inspectors, I think, are all capable of handling a car 121 What effect would the granting of Government certificates have on the running of your service? —It would not make any difference. 122. Would it hamper you in any way?—lt might hamper us if the supply of motormen were deficient. It would not increase the efficiency of the service, but might work in the opposite direction. 123 Would your earning-power be much restricted if the Government called upon you to desist from using trailers? —Yes, very materially We should have to borrow £50,000 for new cars, but that would not perhaps be enough. It costs much more for fresh cars than for trailers. 124. There is not only the initial cost of the extra car, but the cost of running it all the year? Yes. 125 There would be extra labour associated with it? —Yes. 12(5. Would the same proportion of trailers used on your system, if applied to the Wellington system, remedy the overcrowding that is so much talked about in Wellington?—l think you ought to ask a tramwayman a technical question like that, but I should say that trailers would not be of so much use to you as to us in Christchurch. 127 Assuming the Government gave the City of Wellington authority to use trailers on the section from the Government Railway-station to Oriental Bay, would you as an engineer agree with that?—-Yes.