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

these terms to be incorporated into a mutual running agreement. At a another meeting of the Electrical, Legal & Parliamentary Committee the Town Clerk reported on the ‘serious’ collision between two Accrington tramcars in Oswaldtwistle which occurred on Saturday the 7 th . This, he stated, would disable these cars for a week. As a result of this, the Tramway Manager was authorised to put the Driver Instructor onto the work of observing and instructing all the drivers and to report on any instances of inefficiency. Following the receipt of several tenders, the Tramway Manager was also authorised to obtain the following at the lowest received for, a bearing mould, a pinion cramp, trolley ropes, trolley spindles and a supply of anti-friction metal. It was further resolved that any failures of cars due to the motors or electrical fittings, should be reported to the Electrical Engineer immediately. The Mayor and Town Clerk then reported on their meeting with the Haslingden deputation to discuss terms and running arrangements. After which a letter was read out from the Town Clerk of Haslingden Corporation declining the terms offered by Accrington for the supply of electricity to their tramway system. He stated they had decided to construct their own generating station. It was then resolved that Alderman Rawson and Councillor Bury should meet with a deputation from both Haslingden and Rawtenstall corporations to discuss mutual running arrangements. Next it was resolved to obtain a quote from Brush Electrical Engineering for an additional single deck car, similar to the four already in use. Following on it was resolved the Borough Surveyor and Electrical Engineer should prepare an estimate for laying down a triangle on the tramway at what they felt was the most advantageous position in the town centre. At a meeting of the Electrical, Legal & Tramway Committee, the Manager of the Tramway submitted correspondence he had received from the Amalgamated Association of Tramway & Vehicle Workers. This contained alleged grievances made by some employees in his department. It was resolved the Town Clerk would meet with a representative of these workers appointed by the Association in order to discuss these matters. At a meeting of the General Works Committee they considered claims from several officials with respect to the additional burden of work thrust upon them during the conversion and expansion of the tramway. It was resolved that in recognition of this work and the additional responsibilities involved in its supervision, the salary of the Borough Surveyor should be increased from £420 to £470 per annum, also the salary of Mr W. A. Foster should go up in increments of £10 per year from the £180 paid during 1907 to a maximum of £220 in 1912. It was also resolved to award grants for extra services to R. Porter (horse keeper) and Howarth Shutt (stores keeper) £15 each, Joseph Ormerod (clerk) and to A. Martin (time keeper), E. L. Lever, Thomas Coupe £10 each and R. J. Ingham £15 (all assistants to the Borough Treasurer). April The Town Council met to discuss the minutes of the Electrical, Legal & Parliamentary Committee in which they recommended that Brush Electrical Engineering should be approached for a quotation to supply an additional single deck car. This was withdrawn with the consent of the Mayor, with a view to reconsidering this proposal. Not only this, but the proposal to enumerate the Borough Surveyor during the reconstruction of the tramway was defeated, and an amendment tabled for referral to the General Works Committee. Also on the 6 th , at a meeting of the General Purposes Committee the minute was referred back from the Full Council and it was ultimately decided to withdraw it and to substitute the following – “That in view of the additional services permanently thrust upon the Borough Surveyor, his salary will be increased to £450 per year from April 1 st , 1909, and in consideration of this extra work he will also be paid a lump sum of £300.” The Electrical, Legal & Tramway Committee met to consider again the possibility of purchasing one (or more) additional single deck tramcars, and the Mayor emphasised the importance of keeping to the same type of car, with the same make of trucks, motors and controllers as those currently in service. It was unanimously resolved that, subject to reasonable quotations, the Council would recommend the purchase of two additional single deck saloon cars. These would be identical to those currently in use, differing only in that they would not have any internal partitions. It was then resolved to have part of the Ellison Street depot partitioned off, to form a room for the purpose of painting and varnishing the tramcars. It was also resolved to invite tenders for the supply and installation of a wheel turning lathe at the depot. Another resolution was passed to the effect that one car should be equipped with a meter to measure the amount of current it was consuming, and that each motorman should take a turn in driving this car, so that each individual’s results could be noted. Finally, after receiving a report on just how many workmen were using the early morning services, it was decided to reduce their frequency to every 20

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