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

accordingly. With regard to the cases of dismissal of employees for ‘serious’ offences, it was resolved to approve the actions of the Tramway Manager, but he was given further instructions with regard to just one case where there were extenuating circumstances. The Tramway Manager was also given instructions as to the future checking-in of conductor’s returns. In accordance with his instructions he submitted particulars relating to traffic receipts, consideration of which was deferred to a subsequent meeting. The Tramway Manager then presented the following particulars showing the working of the Parcels Department for the period April 1 st to December 31 st , 1921 - TOTAL receipts = £1,129 – 15s – 5d. EXPENDITURE Wages = £1,038 – 17s – 6d. Rents in Accrington & Church = £45 – 0s – 0d. Repairs to trucks = £30 – 1s – 11d. Printing = £12 – 0s – 0d. Claims against = £2 – 6s – 0d. Lighting = £1 – 10s – 0d. TOTAL = £1,129 – 15s – 5d. During the duration of the coal strike there was an estimated loss of receipts of £120 – 17s – 9d. It was finally resolved the Tramway Manager should obtain tenders for the supply of uniforms for the Tramway’s employees for the ensuing twelve months. In reply to an application for an increase in fares charged on the tramway, the following was received in response - NOTICE WHEREAS application for powers to increase charges have been made to the Ministry of Transport under the said Act by Accrington Corporation. AND WHEREAS the object of the Corporation (stated generally) is to enable charges to be made up until February, 1923, so far as the same are an extension of, and in addition to the existing powers, and not exceeding the following, vis: - ORDINARY PASSENGERS 1½ pence per mile or portion thereof. WORKMEN return tickets at not exceeding the single fares for ordinary passengers. NOW NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Tramway Charges Advisory Committee, constituted under Section 2 (1) of the said Act of 1920, will open an Inquiry concerning this matter at 7, Whitehall Gardens (Room 25), London, SW1, on Tuesday, November 30 th at 12 noon. Representations may be made either personally after notice given in writing addressed to the Secretary of that Committee. Notice of the same, and a copy of any representations made in writing, should also be sent to the Town Clerk of Accrington. By Order of, Kenneth J. M. TEESDALE, Secretary to the Committee, Gwydyr House, Whitehall, LONDON. SW1 Writing in the Observer ‘A User’ suggested that books of tram tickets currently being sold at 14 journeys for 1/6d could be increased to 15. “This would help to reduce the cost of travel for those of us who contribute most to the town’s economy. It would also help to reduce the workload of conductors, as having to clip a ticket was easier and faster than having to produce a ticket and deal with cash”. February At the Electricity & Tramways Committee meeting it was reported that the subject of through running between Accrington, Haslingden and Rawtenstall had been discussed at a conference held in Haslingden. But even if agreement was reached it could not be commenced before the start of the next financial year. Councillor Aspin said he had the misfortune to travel between Accrington and Rawtenstall on Wednesday, January 18 th , when he had been obliged to change cars in Baxenden and again at Lock Gate, where his discomfort was compounded by a ten minute wait in 5 inches of slush and snow. He sincerely hoped that instead of blaming each other for this state of affairs, they would get together in a spirit of harmony and resolve the issue. Councillor Constantine said that time-keeping on the Blackburn section also 5 miles in length was just as erratic, but said that the amounts of slush and snow that the tramway had been obliged to operate in should be borne in mind. It was also reported that the Huncoat Section was the least profitable of all the routes on the

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