Accrington on Rails - The Tramways: A Complete History - Robert Kenyon

April The Town Clerk reported to a meeting of the Legal & Parliamentary Committee that petitions had been lodged in the House of Lords in objection to the Corporation’s Bill, by the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway Company and the Lancashire Electric Power Company. With regard to the former, the Town Clerk had already had a meeting with the Solicitor for the L & Y and had established that if the Corporation would restore the clause pertaining to the rating previously agreed in the Bill when it was with the Commons, their Petition would be withdrawn. With regard to the Power Company’s Petition, if the Corporation inserted those amendments to Clauses 71 and 77, submitted by the Power Company’s Agents’ the Town Clerk, having outlined the effects of these amendments before being given authorisation to, was then instructed to inform the Agents to let them go ahead if they felt they would not materially affect the efficacy of the Bill. May A meeting of the General Works Committee received a report from the Borough Surveyor of how he had on several occasions corresponded with the Tramway Company to point out some necessary repairs, and although they had paid some attention to the matters, the work had not satisfactorily been carried out! It was resolved the Town Clerk should write to them again, demanding they effect these repairs in a thorough and satisfactory manner, without delay. August The Health Committee resolved to instruct the Town Clerk to write to the Tramway Company, calling their attention to the numerous complaints regarding smoke and soot being thrown out by their engines, as well as the problems along Blackburn Road, caused by oil and water also dripping out from the locomotives. November The Town Clerk reported to the Legal & Parliamentary Committee that it was advisable to take action to obtain several properties in Church and Oswaldtwistle prior to the commencement of the construction of the extension of the tramway. It was resolved that a deputation including the Town Clerk should open negotiations with the owners of these properties with a view to obtaining them by agreement, then to report on their progress in these matters from time to time. TRAMWAYS UNDERTAKING A statement of intent and of agreement between the Corporations of Accrington, Haslingden and Rawtenstall, as to the purchase of the Tramway Company’s Undertaking. 1. The purchasing Corporations to pay the shareholders par value for both Preference and Ordinary Shares as on January 1 st , 1904, and to guarantee the payment of a 6% dividend up until that date. 2. On the day of vesting, the whole of the Tramway Undertaking, lands, properties, assets of all descriptions, cash in hand and at the Bankers, or on deposit, and securities to become the property of the purchasing Corporations. 3. Until the day of vesting, the Company to be managed by the current Directors, with the addition of five others to be appointed by the Corporations as follows - Accrington two, Haslingden two and Rawtenstall one. 4. The current Directors to receive remuneration as at present up until the day of vesting, and for one calendar year after that date, in return for which such Directors shall, if called upon, advise the purchasing Corporations. 5. No expenditure other than in respect of ordinary and normal renewal, maintenance or repairs to be incurred, and no alteration of fares or salaries and wages to be made by the Directors without the unanimous approval of the Corporation’s Directors. 6. The proportionate share of the purchase price to be paid by the three Corporations, and the division of assets and liabilities of the Tramway Undertaking, to be settled in default of agreement by an Arbitrator to be appointed by the Board of Trade. In making such a division the depot on John Street in Haslingden, with the adjoining land and the plant therein to be allocated to Haslingden Corporation. 7. The lines between the Market Place in Accrington and the terminus in Rawtenstall to be converted to one and the same form of electric traction, and in future worked as a ‘through line’. Terms as to such operation to be agreed or settled by arbitration as decided by the Board of Trade.

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