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

weeks, pending a meeting between the firm’s Mr Thomas Shutt and the Corporation’s Clerk of Works Mr H. Ramsbottom. The General Works Committee considered the estimate submitted by Messrs Evans & Company for slating the roof of the tramsheds. The Clerk of Works, H. Ramsbottom, and Mr Thomas Shutt from the firm met to discuss the tender, but this decision was also deferred for a fortnight. Correspondence between Major-General Hutchinson and the Board of Trade was read out to the Committee, this referred to an inspection of the Tramways equipment. The Board of Trade would not put a clearly defined construction on the words contained in the Act of Parliament, so would be unable to approve the lease to include engines and trailer cars. A Sub-Committee along with Cllr Lupton was authorised to meet with Mr Heap, to discuss the proposed lease of the Tramway. A statement was read from the Borough Surveyor concerning the ‘ironwork’ done by Messrs A. Anderton & Sons at the tram depot. August 20 th . The Borough Accountant reported that following settlement of all the accounts relating to the construction of the Tramway, there was a surplus of approximately £10,000 left out of the sum borrowed. This could not be used in order to equip the Tramway with engines and rolling stock. It was resolved that a decision on this Tramway balance be deferred until a definite plan for the equipping of the Tramway had been agreed. September 1 st . Notice was received that legal proceedings would ensue if the account of Messrs Evans & Company was not settled within seven days. It was recommended that the Council settle this bill, with the recommendation that in all future contracts the final certification would not be issued by the Borough Surveyor without the Council’s consent. September 7 th . The Committee considered again the tender of Mr J. H. Heap for the lease of the Tramway. The Town Clerk and Borough Surveyor reported on the result of their investigations into Tramway assessments in other districts. Mr Heap was in attendance at this meeting and further stated he was prepared to accept a lease for 14 years, and amend the limit of the rent for the second term of 7 years to 4½% interest on the total cost of the Tramway and depot. It was resolved this amended tender be referred to the General Purposes Committee for them to consider. A letter was read out from Messrs Anderton with regard to their account for ironwork at the Ellison Street depot. It was resolved to reply to them to the effect that the Council authorised the Town Clerk to request the Low Moor Iron Works Company (Clitheroe), to send a competent man to inspect the ironwork at the depot, to certify the quality of the materials used. ( As can be seen from the correspondence which follows, the matter of the Lees unpaid invoice became a matter for the legal people .) 35, Lincolns Inn Fields, LONDON W.C. September 11 th , 1885 To A. H. Aitken Esq., Town Clerk, Accrington. Re - Green & Burleigh. Dear Sir, The Official Receivers Department would not supply us with a copy of Mr Lee’s proof, and we have therefore obtained an office copy from the Court, which we will send to you on Monday. Yours, J. Armstrong. September 22 nd . Two letters were read out from the Low Moor Iron Works Company outlining the results of their inspection of the ironwork used in the tram depot on Ellison Street. Following which the matter was postponed pending further investigations. September 28 th . Cllr Smith was assigned to see Messrs Broome Murray to challenge their excessive accounts and receive an explanation. A Sub-Committee was set up to look into this matter. This Sub Committee consisted of His Worship the Mayor (Alderman Smith) and Cllr Sprake. The Finance Committee was asked to consider at their meeting on this date, the account of Messrs Broome, Murray & Co (accountants), for work undertaken during the tendering process for the lease of the Tramway. It was

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