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

the lack of an adequate light or reflector in order to avoid a fine. It was resolved the Council would adopt this Bye-Law. At a meeting of the Town Council, it was resolved to accept and adopt the Tramway Manager’s timetable for the winter services with just one amendment. This was on the Clayton-le-Moors service, when the cars should run at a 7½ minute frequency from 12 noon on Saturdays, instead of at every 10 minutes as was proposed. November At a meeting of the Electrical Sub-Committee, the Town Clerk reported he had communicated with Rawtenstall Corporation to enquire if any, and if so, how many of their cars operating on the Accrington system, had been converted to from the ‘regenerative control system’ as now required by the Board of Trade? As a result of this enquiry the following resolution had been passed by Rawtenstall Corporation - “Seeing the arrangements for through running are no longer satisfactory to both our Corporations, Rawtenstall Corporation hereby expresses its willingness to terminate our agreement.” It was resolved that in the light of this development, the Chairman and Town Clerk should confer with representatives from Haslingden Corporation and report back. They were also authorised, along with the Borough Engineer, to meet with Haslingden in order to adjust certain details with respect to the supply of energy for tramway purposes as metered at the Borough boundary in Baxenden. The Town Clerk then reported on an amended tender from Mr J. W. Courtenay, the advertising contractor, for the rights to advertise on the Corporation’s cars for a period of five years, subject to all the revenue from ‘temporary adverts’ being handed over to him in future. It was resolved the Town Clerk ascertain from Mr Courtenay if he was prepared to accept a contract for a term of three years at the price he quoted and minus this last stipulation? The Borough Surveyor reported that Clayton District Council had repaved a considerable length of the main road at a higher level than the paving on the margins of the tramway. They had then written to him asking if the tramway margins could be repaved to this new level at no cost to themselves. He reported that these margins were in a good state of repair and therefor did not merit re-paving. The Town Clerk was authorised to reply that since the tramway margins were in a good condition before Clayton had begun repaving the road service, they could not see their way to carrying out this request at Accrington Corporation’s expense. The Electrical, Legal & Parliamentary Committee met to discuss the braking arrangements on Rawtenstall’s tramcars. The Town Clerk was requested to write to Rawtenstall Corporation reminding them of the resolution they had passed last February, in which they had given instructions for the conversion of their cars “as soon as possible.” He also reported on a meeting which had taken place with representatives from Haslingden Council. The Town Clerk then reported on correspondence he had exchanged with certain firms, with regards to negotiating a contract for the right to place advertisements on Accrington’s cars. It was resolved that he, the Chairman, Vice-Chair and Borough Treasurer, should investigate further with these firms, and with the powers to negotiate a contract on the best terms available. The Electrical, Legal & Parliamentary Committee inspected one of the tramcars fitted with a folding screen, but following close examination could not see their way to adopting them for universal use. The Town Clerk reported on further negotiations with several firms tendering for the rights to place advertising on Accrington’s cars. It was resolved that an offer should be made to Mr J. W. Courtenay for a period of five years at £250 per annum, with no roof-boards to be allowed on single deck saloon cars and with the Council retaining control of the ‘traffic bills’. December At a meeting of the Town Council, the Town Clerk reported the ongoing negotiations with two firms of advertising contractors, whilst referring to their respective tenders for the rights to place advertisements on Accrington’s tramcars. It was solved that the one submitted by J. W. Courtenay at £250 for five years would be accepted with the following caveats. There would be an equal division of profits accruing from local adverts, and without roof-boards on the single deck cars. The contract would commence on January 1 st . The Town Clerk reported to a meeting of the Electrical, Legal & Parliamentary Committee, that owing to the Council’s insistence on no roof-boards being carried by the saloon cars, Mr Courtenay had withdrawn his offer! He went on to say that following consultations with the Chairman, he had approached a ‘local’ firm whose offer he now placed in front of this Committee. It was resolved that the Chairman, Vice-Chair, Town Clerk and Borough Treasurer should carry these negotiations to a conclusion, with the power to decide whether or not roof-boards should be fitted to the single deck cars. It

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