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

We believe, in this way, you will be able to do this work for less cost than we could do it, in case of there being no jointing for him to do, you would be able to employ your labourers on other track-work, whilst our trained man would find sufficient occupation in making moulds and crucibles etc. As this question is largely one of experience, we have asked our Permanent Way Engineer, Mr J. S. Macgregor - who has a large and varied expertise in all matters regarding Tramway and permanent way work, to call upon you tomorrow afternoon, about 3 o’clock, when we trust it will be convenient for you to see him. Trusting that our proposals will meet with your approval, and that you will favour us with your order ( The third letter) September 27 th , 1906 Dear Sir, With reference to out Permanent Way Engineer’s call upon you today. We understand that you prefer us to carry out the work of welding your tracks ourselves, and also that, in case our men are not engaged upon welding work, you will undertake to keep them employed, and to pay them the usual wages current for similar duties in Accrington. Under these circumstances we are prepared to reduce our price to 22/6d per joint less 2% per joint. But this is absolutely the utmost we can do, and we trust that - in view of the generally recognised advantages of the system we employ - you will be able to pass to us your esteemed order. ( The fourth letter) September 29 th , 1906 Dear Sir, We are in receipt of your favour of yesterday’s date, and we are pleased that your Committee has accepted our reduced price for the welding of your tram tracks. As regards the commencement of these works, and any other details, we presume you will communicate with us in due course, subject of course to your Council passing this Order. Assuring you of our best attention at all times during the continuation of these works. We are Dear Sir, Yours faithfully, For Thermit Ltd. P. Stubbs . (Managing Director.) ( As a result Articles of Agreement were reached and a contract for this work drawn up in January 1907 ). October The Electrical , Legal & Parliamentary Committee met to report it had agreed terms with Messrs Thermit Ltd, Engineers from London, for the materials, appliances and works necessary for the welding of all of the tramways rail joints, as specified in their report. The Electrical Sub-Committee received from the Borough Surveyor a specimen of the Winby Patent Anchor Chair, which he suggested should be used in connection with the laying of the new tramway. He was authorised to negotiate suitable terms with the suppliers of these chairs. The Town Clerk reported he had now received a letter from the solicitor for Mr Thomas Holding, agreeing to sell his three shops on Union Road in Oswaldtwistle and the four cottages at their rear, with the 632 square yards on which they stand at the price of £1,250 plus vendor’s fees. The original asking price was £1,750, but the Committee had made an offer of £1,200. It was resolved the Council should pay the price now quoted and bring the deal to a speedy conclusion. Report and recommendations of the TRAMWAY ELECTRICAL SUB-COMMITTEE.

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