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

Inspector Motormen (drivers) Conductors

between 27/- and 29/3d

9

3 days with pay

Between 22/6d and 24/9d

9

3 days with pay

Car Cleaners none It was also resolved that inspectors, motormen and conductors would be supplied with ‘suitable’ uniforms, and that tenders should be invited for their supply. The Electrical Legal & Parliamentary Committee heard from the Borough Engineer that a serious delay had been experienced in obtaining the materials for the overhead work on the tramway, but this was now in the process of being resolved. Four single deck cars had already been delivered to the Ellison Street depot, and three of the lines through Oswaldtwistle, along Burnley Road and to Clayton had been laid from end to end. He also pointed out that the Oswaldtwistle section was on this very day undergoing a ‘high pressure test’, and if this proved successful it would immediately be connected up. He also reported on the installation of the new electrical plant. It was also resolved to authorise the Borough Treasurer to pay on account of the current contracts, the sum of £7,000 to the Brush Electrical Engineering Company and to Messrs W.T. Glover the sum of £5,000. The Town Clerk submitted a draft of the proposed Bye-Laws to be submitted to the Board of Trade for their approval in connection with the new tramway. It was resolved and adopted these should be passed on to the General Works Committee for their approval. The Town Clerk then reported on a meeting he had attended with a deputation from Haslingden Town Council at their request, in order to discuss the possible arrangements for through-running after the reconstruction and electrification of the tramway had been completed. It was resolved that the Mayor and Town Clerk would continue with these talks on the lines so far indicated. In the same vein he then presented details of the proposed agreement with Blackburn Corporation Tramways, with regard to through-running between their terminus at the Commercial Hotel in Church and the Market Place in Accrington town centre. It was resolved that the Chair and Vice-Chair settle the terms of an agreement for a period of twelve months, and for a period of six months’ notice thereafter, following which the agreement could be terminated. At a meeting of the Electrical Legal & Parliamentary Committee the Chairman reported on the progress which had been made towards the completion of the overhead on the tramway. It was resolved the Manager of the tramway, with the approval of the Chair and Vice-Chair could order bags and other equipment for the motormen and conductors. It was further resolved to continue the practice of issuing workmen’s and children’s tickets on similar terms to those of the Accrington Steam Tramway Company. A Sub-Committee was also authorised to negotiate terms with the General Post Office for the conveyance of Postmen, Telegraph Messengers and the mails over the new system, whilst of course they were still on duty. The Borough Treasurer was authorised to obtain quotes with a view to taking out a policy of insurance with respect to ‘third party risk’ in connection with the working of the tramway. A Sub Committee was empowered to accept the quotation which they thought most favourable. In addition Alderman Duckworth was authorised to negotiate for the purchase of safes and office furniture from the Steam Tramway Company. Another resolution was passed authorising the Borough Treasurer to obtain quotes for taking out a ‘Fidelity Guarantee Policy’ in respect of all tramway employees, in whose hands the money of the tramway would pass whilst executing their duties. The Committee then discussed the question of where to fix the stopping places on the route between Accrington and Oswaldtwistle. They then went over the system not only to inspect the progress of the work, but to determine where to locate these stops. The following places were identified as - On Blackburn Road in the direction of Church, at points near to St. James Street, Eagle Street, Paxton Street, King Street, Oxford Street, Frederick Street, Portland Street, either the Technical School or Grant Street, Park Road, Porter Street, Poland Street, Lonsdale Street, Tanpits Road and a point between Henry Street and Oswald Street. Continuing on from Church to the Oswaldtwistle terminus - at the Co-operative Societies store on Market Street, Church Railway Station, outside the District Bank Branch on Union Road, Moscow Mill Street, outside the Mason’s Arms, the Town Hall, Rhyddings Street, Mill 5 ½ d per hour 59 ½ per week

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