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

April The Electrical Sub-Committee met to hear from the Town Clerk that he had received a reply from the Board of Trade to the effect that they approved the agreement between the two corporations for the through running between Accrington and Haslingden using Accrington’s tramcars, and offering no objections to the overhead feeder between Pilling Terrace and the Borough boundary. He then reported on a meeting between himself, the Electrical Engineer, Aldermen Higham and Rawson representing Accrington, and the Mayor, Alderman Cryer, Councillor Coupe and the Town Clerk of Rawtenstall, to discuss the prospect of through running between Accrington and the Queen’s Hotel in Rawtenstall. The Accrington representatives had suggested an equal share of the car mileage as a mutual arrangement, but so far at least, had received no confirmation of acceptance from Rawtenstall. A letter from Brush Electrical Engineering was then read out, acknowledging the order placed by Accrington Corporation for the supply of three additional cars. It stated “That without additional cost we will fix 32-ounce glass in the upper deck windows of the double deckers instead of 26-ounce glass”. It was resolved they should fix this heavier glass as suggested. The Committee then sanctioned the Tramway Manager to look into the application for an increase in salary made by his clerk, Mr S. Ogden and to remunerate him as ‘he thought reasonable’, for the extra duties he had undertaken at the time of the tramway take-over and during the subsequent months. It was further resolved to employ a junior clerk of sixteen years of age, in the Tramway Manager’s office at a wage of 10 shillings per week, rising in increments of 2/6d every year up until a maximum of £1 per week was reached. The Electrical, Legal & Parliamentary Committee resolved that the tender of £18 – 14s – 0d from Messrs C. Hayward & Co. should be accepted for the supply of two fully equipped cleaning towers for use in the Tramway sheds. May The Electrical, Legal & Parliamentary Committee met on the 12 th when the following letter was sent to the Clark of Rawtenstall Council (a synopsis) – Dear Sir, My Tramway Committee has again considered your letter of April 30 th , containing the suggestion of an extension of through running to Bacup. We do not think that any further meetings will achieve any useful purpose, as our Tramway Manager is well acquainted with all the relevant factors. They again propose a mutual equal mileage, through running agreement from Accrington - Market Place to Queen’s Square on a 15 minute frequency on the basis of five Accrington cars to one Rawtenstall car, with a more frequent service on ‘certain days’. This agreement to run for one year and then subject to six months’ notice given by either party. If either Corporation’s cars run an excess of mileage on the other Corporation’s lines, the latter party to reimburse at a figure of 4 ⅛ of a penny per car mile, with each Corporation to taking all the receipts taken within its own district, through fares and parcel rates to be mutually arranged. Each party would then accept all responsibility for risk on its own cars. With your co-operation this agreement can come into force on the day that you open your electrified system for public operation. These terms are absolutely fair as well as being mutually advantageous, and I have no doubts they will be acceptable to Haslingden Corporation, to whom they must be submitted for approval, in anticipation of your acceptance I have prepared and have ready a draft agreement. Shall I send this to you? I await your reply Yours, A. H. Aitken (Town Clerk). The following reply was received ( dated May 19 th ) –

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