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

previously refused to withdraw the Clauses which Accrington Council felt to be objectionable. What is more, their Agents confirmed they were determined to insist that these Clauses were included in their Bill! It was resolved therefore to advise the Council to strenuously oppose the Bill in its present form, and to authorise the Town Clerk to take all the necessary steps and produce whatever evidence was required to block it. April The Chairman of the Legal & Parliamentary Committee reported to a meeting of the Town Council, on the visit he and the Town Clerk had made to London to speak with the representatives of Haslingden Corporation with regard to their Bill. Following which he had composed a letter ( dated April 2 nd ), the contents of which he would forward to the Town Clerk of Haslingden, it read - Dear Sirs, With reference to the meeting at your offices this morning, I am authorised to say that Clause 36 is now amended by omitting all references to run and work upon tramways and light railways which would join onto our tramways, with an undertaking given to that effect, and to insert into your Bill for our protection similar to Section 168 of the Accrington Act. In these circumstances Accrington’s Petition will be withdrawn and we will assist in the passing of your Bill in any way possible. We will also show our willingness when the time comes, to enter into negotiations with you on the subject of mutually agreed running powers. Yours, A. H. Aitken (Town Clerk). The contents of this letter were approved and adopted. The Legal & Parliamentary Committee received correspondence ( dated the 11 th ), from the Town Clerk of Haslingden expressing the following terms - Dear Sirs, My Committee have duly considered your letter of the 2 nd instant and with the benefit of the opinion of our Agent and our Engineer, I am directed to inform you that we are prepared to accept the suggestions you made at the meeting held on April 2 nd . In that you will withdraw your Petition against our Bill. That you will also give evidence to the Parliamentary Committee, that when the time arrives you will be prepared to enter into negotiations with a view to securing mutual running powers. Clause 36 will be amended so as to remove all references to running and working over your tramways or light railways, as would have had an effect on your tramways. Then Clause 168, or a similar worded clause, will be inserted in its place as you recommended. Yours, W. Musgrove (Town Clerk). June The Town Clerk reported to a meeting of the Legal & Parliamentary Committee on the negotiations to acquire properties to be set back or demolished in order to lay down the tramway into Oswaldtwistle. July The Electrical Sub-Committee met and resolved the Electrical Engineer, Borough Surveyor and Town Clerk should draft a report on the subject of the electrification of the tramway, and then present it to this Sub-Committee at the earliest time. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS By the Borough Engineer, the Electrical Engineer and the Borough Treasurer, and the recommendations of the Electrical Sub-Committee with regard thereto - Councillor Higham (Chairman), Councillor A. S. Bury (Vice-Chairman), and Councillors Langham, Waddington and Whittaker.

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