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

Street, James Street, Havelock Square, John Street, Commercial Street and at the passing place approaching the New Lane terminus. The Electrical Legal & Parliamentary Committee’s Sub-Committee had before them samples of and tenders for the supply of uniforms for the motormen and conductors of the new tramway cars. It was resolved to accept the prices of Messrs James Smith & Co. of Derby as follows - 48 drivers’ and conductors’ double-breasted tunics as per sample N o 1 @ 19 shillings (19/-) each. 48 drivers’ and conductors’ pairs of trousers as per sample N o 1 @ 10 shillings and 6 pence (10/6d) per pair. 48 drivers’ and conductors’ overcoats, with pleated backs and straps @ £1 – 4s – 6d each. 48 drivers’ and conductors’ caps @ 3 shillings and 4 pence (3/4d) each. It was then resolved to accept the tender of Messrs J. B. Brooks & Co. of Birmingham for two dozen conductor’s leather bags @ £4 – 19s – 0d per dozen. It was further resolved that subject to a sample been found satisfactory, the tender of 1/4d each submitted by Messrs Lang Bridge of Accrington would be accepted, for the supply of 2 dozen tin cash boxes for conductors. The Tramway Manager was then authorised to obtain all the necessary cleaning materials without any further delay. The Assistant Postmaster in Accrington informed the Committee, that the Post Office were prepared to continue paying £70 per year for the continued conveyance of their staff and mails up until the time when the entire system was open for traffic, as this was the amount paid to the Accrington Steam Tramway Company. It was resolved to accept this offer subject to an agreement being reached with the Steam Tramway Company as to how this amount would be divided between them until the time when they ceased trading. It was resolved to grant free passes to travel over the new tramway system to the Chairman, Vice Chairman, the Manager of Blackburn Corporation’s Tramways, to the Clerks and Surveyors of Church, Clayton-le-Moors and Oswaldtwistle District Councils and the Postmaster and his assistant at Accrington GPO. The Mayor produced a list of stores and requisites which had been drawn up by the Car Shed Foreman, who was then empowered to obtain those items which he deemed urgently necessary, whilst obtaining quotes for any extras. The Borough Treasurer submitted quotations from several insurance companies with regard to protecting the Corporation with respect to Third Party Risk in connection with the operation of the Tramway. It was resolved the quotation from the Law, Car & General Insurance Corporation Ltd, would be accepted and effected on the following terms - At a premium of 18/6d% on the gross passenger receipts up to a maximum amount of £1,000 in respect of any one accident, up to a maximum amount of £5,000 in any one year. It was also resolved to accept the quotation from this same Company of insurance affected in respect of accidents to all workmen and others employed by the Tramways Department at the following terms, at a premium of 7/6d of all wages paid. It was further resolved not to take out any insurance policy to cover the tramcars against fire, as the Corporation would accept their own risk in this matter. It was then decided to transfer a clerk from the Education Office to the Borough Treasurer’s Office in order to take responsibility for keeping the books and accounts, during the period of the electrification of the Tramway. The Electrical Legal & Parliamentary Committee received from the Town Clerk a copy of the Arbitrator’s Award, after he had read out the formal proceedings leading up to the arbitration. The terms were as follows - I, Reginald Page Wilson, having taken upon myself the burden of arbitration and having considered all the documentary evidence and allegations put forward by both the parties concerned, do publish this award in writing, with regard to all the matters referred to me in the following way – 1. I value the eleven engines and eleven cars at a scrap value sum of £880 as of April 12 th , 1907.

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