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

Borough. The Town Clerk reported he had been in communication with the Corporation’s Parliamentary Agents with a view to obtaining knowledge of the procedure for obtaining the requisite statutory authority. He now read their reply, which intimated this could be achieved by means of a ‘provisional’ order issued by the Ministry of Health under Sections 297 and 303 of the Public Health Act 1875, whilst amending Section 34 of the Corporation’s Act of 1905. Similar orders had been granted recently to the corporations of Southport, Stockport and Kingston-upon-Hull. It was resolved the Town Clerk should take the requisite steps to obtain this ‘Provisional Order’, which would give the Corporation general powers to operate motor omnibuses within the Borough. The Borough Surveyor reported that Clayton-le Moors UDC intended to pave with granite setts ‘in a permanent manner’ the margins of the tramway on the easterly side of Whalley Road, from Grimshaw Street to a point opposite the Load of Mischief public house. They suggested the advisability of paving the 18 inch margin between the road and the tramway with similar setts at the same time. This was a margin for which the Council was responsible. It was resolved that subject to satisfactory terms being agreed with the Borough Surveyor, this work could be undertaken. A request was received from Church & Oswaldtwistle British Legion for an extension of free travel passes to disabled ex-servicemen resident in their respective boroughs. It was resolved to refuse this request on the grounds that the expense was totally borne by the ratepayers of Accrington. August The Committee examined the samples and tenders for the supply of uniforms for the employees of the Tramway Department and accepted the one submitted by Messrs Briggs, Jones & Gibson as follows - Employees Overcoats Tunics Trousers (per pair) £ 0 – 12s – 7d A letter was received from Clayton-le-Moors UDC asking if students of 21 years and over attending night school at Accrington, Oswaldtwistle or Church technical schools, could have reduced terms when using the trams to travel to their classes. The Town Clerk was instructed to reply that the Committee regretted it could not comply with this request. September At a meeting of the Electricity & Tramways Committee, the Tramway Manager reported he had received complaints from the medical staff at Accrington Victoria Hospital, that residents from Oswaldtwistle had been unable to use the ambulance to get to the hospital. It was resolved that in conjunction with the St. John Ambulance Association, the Tramway Manager could make arrangements for patients residing in Oswaldtwistle to use the ambulance to get to their appointments. The Tramway Manager then submitted the following details relating to the free passes issued to disabled soldiers and sailors. The original number on the list was 40, of which 2 had since passed away leaving the number on the list at 38. The number of men who have applied for passes during 1923 was 22. Men who have not renewed their passes since first issued in March 1921 was 8. The total number of passes issued between March, 1921 and September, 1923 was 273, which equalled £102 – 7s – 6d. The number of passes issued during the year ending August 31 st , 1923 was 96 at a cost of £36. Note. One pass includes 60 x 1½ penny fares. With reference to a previous minute of July 16 th last, instructing the Town Clerk to take measures in order to obtain permission for the Corporation to operate motor buses within the Borough. A further communication was received from the Corporation’s Parliamentary Agents, pointing out that the Minister of Health had been advised that they should no longer grant any Provisional Orders with regard to the operation of motor buses. They stated that the only alternative method for obtaining such powers was by promoting a Private Members’ Bill. It was resolved that giving regard to the great expense that this would incur, no further steps would be taken in pursuance of this matter for the time being. October At a meeting of the Electricity & Tramways Committee, it was resolved that a supply of mackintoshes should be obtained for the conductors on the tramway, and the Tramway Manager was authorised to seek tenders and samples for their supply. The Tramway Manager also reported that he had fitted a number of red lamps on standards on the Blackburn Road route to indicate where the tramcars Motormen & Conductors Inspectors Parcels staff £1 – 14s – 6d £1 – 12s – 9d £1 – 10s – 2d £0 – 16s – 3d £2 – 5s – 9d £2 – 5s – 9d £1 – 1s – 6d £1 – 4s – 1d

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