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

obvious that when the time for renewal arrives the cost per mile will considerably exceed this sum. It is now necessary to make some provision for the difference between the estimated and probable costs. The amount in the Renewals Fund at March 31 st 1912 was £9,850 – 11s – 4d. CONTRIBUTIONS Year Car miles run @ 1 penny per car mile + 3% interest TOTAL fund 1912/1 3 531,356 £2,213 – 19s – 8d £295 – 10s – 7d £12,360 – 1s – 3d 1913/1 4 573,536 £2,389 – 14s – 8d £370 – 16s – 0d £15,120 – 11s – 11d 1914/1 5 548,070 £2,283 – 12s – 6d £453 – 12s – 4d £17,857 – 16s – 9d 1915/1 6 539,858 £2,249 – 8s – 2d £535 – 14s – 8d £20,642 – 19s – 7d 1916/1 7 530,650 £2,211 – 0s – 10d £619 – 5s – 9d £23,473 – 6s – 2d 1917/1 8 529,488 £2,206 – 4s – 0d £704 – 4s – 0d £26,383 – 14s – 2d In comparison with this sum of £26,383 – 14s – 2d the ‘actual’ amount set aside on March 31 st , 1918, without any contributions from 1917/18 was £19,606. The total sum taken from the rates since the tramway was established and not yet repaid = £4,558. It was resolved following this report that from the balance of £26,383, the sum of £1,500 should go to the Depreciation & Renewals Fund with the remaining £863 being carried forward. It was then resolved the Borough Surveyor should prepare a report on the existing condition of the permanent way. It was further resolve that the Tramway Manager along with Alderman Rawson be authorised to order such uniform clothing for employees of the Tramway Department as they felt necessary. The Chairman reported that the Board of Trade had again requested all local authorities to reduce their tramway services in order to reduce the demand for electricity and therefore coal. It was resolved to defer a decision on this request until after a meeting of the Lancashire & Cheshire Tramways and Electrical Authorities to be held shortly. ( A fatal accident occurred within the Ellison Street tram sheds on the evening of the 19 th , when a cleaner tumbled head first from an elevated gantry on which he was cleaning the top deck windows. It was approximately 12 feet to the floor, the fall killing him instantly. ) September The Town Council met and the Borough Treasurer submitted the terms of a further award by the Committee on Production of a War Bonus to tramway employees as follows - “In the case of women aged 18 and over the Bonus will be increased by 5 shillings per week over and above the pre-war rates. Payments to be based on a working week of six days or six shifts, and this payment to be back-dated to the first full pay-day following July 9 th last. It was resolved the Borough Treasurer would implement this award as stipulated. The Electricity & Tramways Committee met for the Tramway Managers report that one of the employees in the tram shed had, whilst carrying out his duties, suffered a fatal accident. The Borough Treasurer then reported that he had received a claim for compensation from those acting on behalf of the widow of the deceased. It was resolved that the Borough Treasurer and the Town Clerk should examine this claim and settle it as they felt “appropriate”. October At a meeting of the Electricity & Tramways Committee, a letter was received from the National Transport Workers’ Federation, making an application for ‘certain’ alterations on behalf of all employees (male & female) other than skilled craftsmen, who were members of unions affiliated to their Federation. This included a proposal that the ‘War Wage’ at present paid to males and females of 18 years and over, should receive an extra £1 – 15s – 0d per week, and that those under the age of 18 half this amount, (17 shillings and 6 pence). It was resolved that the Town Clerk should forward in ‘the strongest terms’ a protest against the proposals embodied in this application to the Municipal Tramways Conference. With particular reference to the rates of War Bonus paid generally to other classes of workmen employed in the district, whilst urging them to oppose it to the utmost degree.

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