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

Sir, As you and your Committee were even more insistent than my Corporation to have this basis stated by the Umpire when making his Award, as shown by your ‘alteration’ of the word requested in my draft of Clause 6 of the agreement, to required, I am directed to ask that your Committee will join with us in requiring the Umpire to meet with two or three representatives from each authority, to give an explanation to the basis for the settlement to his Award. Without this, both sides are entirely in the dark, and therefore have no guidance in fixing other tramway assessments in the future. This is why the insertion of Clause 6 of the agreement was particularly included. Awaiting your early reply - H. Aitken (Town Clerk). The following letter ( dated June 28 th ), was received in response, from Mr J. H. Sinkinson (Clerk). Dear Sir, I am directed to respond to your communication of the 13 th , to say that the Assessment Committee has carefully considered your letter at length at their full meeting, at which the Union’s Valuer, Mr W. Haslam, was present. Following discussions the following resolution was unanimously adopted. “This Committee regard the Umpire’s Award as final and binding on both parties, and therefore cannot entertain any of the suggestions made in the letter from your Town Clerk.” May I add that at this meeting of my Board, this resolution was brought before them and unanimously endorsed? Faithfully Yours, J. H. Sinkinson. Union Offices, Higher Pike Law, Rawtenstall. August The Electrical, Legal & Parliamentary Committee met to hear from the Tramway Manager about a “very serious accident” to one of his conductors, which occurred on the previous Sunday, the 20 th , whilst he was working on the Haslingden Section. Having alighted to change the signal for a car travelling in the opposite direction, he was knocked down by a passing motor car. It was emphasised that if the ‘automatic signalling system’ which had been in use on the Oswaldtwistle Section had been installed there this accident would not have taken place. It was therefore resolved to put pressure on Haslingden Corporation with a view to them having them install this automatic system. September Meeting again the Electrical, Legal & Parliamentary Committee received a report from the Sub-Committee on ‘possible’ economies due to changes in the administration of the Tramways Department. It read as follows - Your Sub-Committee have had four long meetings during which they have called upon the Tramway Manager, Traffic Manager, Car Shed Superintendent, Borough Surveyor and the Electrical Engineer. In the course of these deliberations, we have taken into consideration the views and suggestions of these officials, on matters particularly concerning the departments under their supervision and control. As a result, this Sub-Committee came to the unanimous conclusion that ‘considerable economies’ can be made, partly by arrangement and also by a reduction in the staff. These would involve an adjustment in the workload of several other members of staff. In giving effect to these changes this Sub-Committee is not suggesting there should be any arbitrary dismissals, rather, as they are put into place the staff whose offices will be rendered obsolete should be given ample and full notice, and suitable compensated before they

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