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

cars 05:45, 06:00, 06:20, 06:30, 06:45 & 07:00 It was resolved that these changes should be adopted and implemented from November 1 st . October The Electrical Sub-Committee met to hear a suggestion from the Tramway Manager that they should adopt the Bell Punch system of issuing tickets, whilst submitting several examples of these instruments. After careful consideration it was resolved to adopt this system and the tender submitted by the Bell Punch Company of London was accepted. As a result of this decision 30 of these machines were ‘hired’ for a period of three years at the rental of 10/- each per year, to include maintenance during the period of hire. The Manager then explained the advantages of the ‘Universal’ ticketing system, which would enable him to dispense with the “great variety” of tickets that were now being printed. It was also resolved that the Universal system would be adopted. The Committee then considered the post of Traffic Superintendent, currently occupied by Mr E. Whittaker, and it was decided that this post could now be dispensed with from December 1 st . It was resolved to pay Mr Whittaker the sum of £50 at the culmination of his employment. It was finally resolved that the switch for the ‘private line’ of the Tramways Department should be relocated from the depot to the Market Offices, with an additional extension to the Manager’s Office. November At a meeting of the Electrical, Legal & Parliamentary Committee the Chairman suggested that motormen should be supplied with ‘leggings’ and he produced a number of tenders for their supply. It was resolved the Sub-Committee would choose the one they thought best, whilst the Tramway Manager was authorised to obtain two clocks for his offices. The Borough Treasurer submitted tenders for a twelve month supply of Universal Tramway Tickets, and it was resolved to accept the one from the Punch & Ticket Company as it was the lowest. The Chairman pointed out that representations had been made to him with regard to reducing the ‘through workmen’s return tickets’ between Accrington and Haslingden to 3 pence. It was resolved that a proposal giving effect to this change would be submitted to Haslingden Corporation. He also reported on the Board of Trade’s enquiry into the recent accident which had occurred on Manchester Road in Haslingden, involving one of Accrington’s conductors. He then reported on a meeting he had attended with representatives from Haslingden and Rawtenstall Corporations, when the question of excess consumption of current by Accrington’s cars over those from Rawtenstall was again discussed. It was however agreed that, subject to this Committee’s consent, the arrangement now in force would continue for another twelve months. December At a meeting of the Electrical Sub-Committee, the Tramway Manager submitted a number of tenders for the supply of motormen’s leggings, and it was resolved to accept the one from Messrs Hilton, Curtiss & Perkins of Wellingborough for 36 pairs of ‘hog-skin’ leggings as submitted. It was further resolved on the recommendation of the Tramway Manager, that the following increases in salary should be paid - Chief Inspector - Eva from £1 – 15s – 0d per week to £2 – 0s – 0p per week. Electrical Improver - J. Jevons from 6d to 7d per hour. These increases to be backdated to December 1 st last. It was further resolved that the hours of the ‘regular’ motormen and conductors should be reduced as suggested by the Tramway Manager. The Chairman then reported that representatives from Haslingden Corporation had consented for a reduction in the through workmen’s return tickets between Accrington and Haslingden from 4d to 3d. At a meeting of the Electrical, Legal & Parliamentary Committee, a letter was received from the Secretary to the Amalgamated Association of Tramway & Vehicle Workers, asking for a meeting in order to discuss an ‘alleged’ grievance. The Assistant to the Tramway Manager reported he had asked in his reply for a full statement of this grievance. The Borough Treasurer reported that the insurance policy covering the Tramway Department for third party risk was about to expire. It was resolved to accept the terms submitted by the General Accident Fire & Life Insurance Company would be accepted, and would come into force on January 1 st , 1912, for a period of twelve months. General Working Foreman - J. Willock from 6d to 7d per hour. Armature Remover - J. W. Castle from 5½d to 6d per hour. Brakeman/Chargehand - T. Manning from 5½d to 6d per hour.

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