THE TBAMWAYS BOARD.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11495, 30 January 1903, Page 3

THE TBAMWAYS BOARD.

FIRST MEETING OF MEMBERS.

ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

The first meeting of the newly-consti-tuted and newly-elected Tramway Board was held in thft City Council Chamber at noon yesterday. Tiie members of the Board present were:—Messrs ti. F. Wigram, G. O Stread, W. Reeoe, and A. W. Beaven, representing the Chrlsiehurch, St. Albans, ard Sydenham district, Mr A. B. Morgan, representing the Avon and New Brighton sub-d:etrict, Mr F. YVaymouth, representing the Riccarton and F«ndalt-on sub-dis-trict, Mr H. Pearee, representing the Linwood sub-district, and Mr G. Scott, representing the Woolsion, Hal-swell, and Stunner sub-district.

The Town Clerk (Mr H. R. Smith) read the Order-in-Council under which the meeting was held.

Mr Stead proposed that Mr Wigram ohouli be elected Chairman of the Board. He had not epoken t> any of his colleagues on the matter, but he hoped that Mr Wigram would be elected unanimously.

Mr Wigram said tnat nis time at present was very fully occupied, and he could not. give the time that ho fhould like even as an ordinary member of the Board, ft ill less as chairman. Ho had a motion to propose, that Mr Reeoe should be elected as chairman. He would liki to congratulate Mr Recce very heartily upon hi« election, and he 'hoped that tlie Board would elect him chairman unanimously. I Mr Stead- said that in view of Mr Wig- j rain's remarks he would not attempt to press his motion. He. thought they would all agree with him that. Mr Wigram would have made a most efficient chairman, but he thought that Mr Recce would make an equally efficient one. As the Tramway Bill had been carried through during Mr Wigram's term of office as Mayor, he took it that Mr Wigram would be the natural chairman of <the Board. He was equally certain that Mr Recce would be an equally suitable man. Mr Wigram then put his motion, which ■was carried unanimously. Mr Recce thanked the Board very heartily for the honour they had done him. He was about to do what Mr Stead had done, and 'that was to ri&a and propose his Worship the Mayor as chairman. Mr Wigram had taken a great deal of interest in the matter, and he had a great deal to do" with j the Tramway Board, the inception of the Bill, and the passing of the Act. Therefore, it seemed to him natural that Mr Wigram Should take the pasidon. But, at the same time, he quite agreed that Mr Wigram had a very great deal on his hands, and, therefore, as the Board had done him the honour of proposing him, he felt it wa.s his duty to accept the position. He had walked, ha thought, with every member of the Board on different bodies, and he felt quite contiftent that it would be difficult to select a Board with more energy, caution, and enterprise than the present one, and he felt sure tlfeut the undertaking would prove a very great success, and furtfter the interests of the City of Christchurch. He supposed the nxfct business of the Board was to arrange for the carrying on of the work, and the first thing to do was to appoint the deputy-chairman. Mr Waymouth moved that Mr Wigram be appointed deputy-chairman-Mr WigTam said that th6*«amg reasons •would apply to his not accepting|the position of deputy-chairman as to the position of chairman.

Mr Pearoe said he should certainly like to see Mr Wigram elected. Mr Wigram said he should like to propose Mr Stead as deputy-chairman. Mrfctead replied that ho wa« compelled to make the excuse that hia time was fully, occupied, co much so, in fact, that ho had felt re-uctant to become a member of the Board. Mr Bearen eaid he would like to aek Mr Wigram to reconsider his decision. Mr Wigram said that in the face of the opinion of the members he had no alternative but to consent, and on Mr Waymoufch a motion, which was seconded by Mr Peaxce, Mr Wigram was unanimously ejected to the Pf*»w°n of deputy-chaninan. The Chafcman sadd that a very large question appeared to nun to ariec as to the general policy of the Board. They had two methods to adopt, and they would, Tie thought, perhaps go into the ono which would involve considerably more time then the other. It appeared to him that almost everything hinged upon getting, <~.s early ac possible, a competent engineer to advise the Board. As they were aware, the city of Wellington had obtained the services of a very excellent man. who was now at Home in connection with the contrad* for the Wellington plant. The Board, however, were in this position, that if anything should occur whereby the citizensdid not carry the scheme, the Board woiid have an engineer probably who would insist upon a very good salary, and an engagement for a texm of years. The other method would be for the Boat-d to prepare c scheme with what help they could get h«re, and submit, that u> the ratepayens. There would be a very long delay before they could get a (suitable man as engineer ,and probably they should have to go to the Old uountry or America for him.

Mr Wignun said tfoere was a quantity of information already oefore the Board. There was also another large matter to be considered, acd that was the question of the existing concessions. It .might happen that the holders of the concessions would be willing to rdiaquistt them <m terms. He considered that it would be necessary to appoint a secretary. Mr Scott moved, and Mr Morgan seconded, that a secretary should be appointed. Mr Waymouth suggested that the salary sTiouH be fixed before the motion was carried.

The Chairman eaid that the Board might get on for a montii cr two without a secretary, and then when .the Boa.rd had set/bled down oira could .oe appointed. Mr Stead considered tnat it would be better to engage a competent secretary at the outset.

Mr Waymouth said there would be a great deal for the secretary to do, in the way of preparing rolls, in addition to the digesting of the information before the Board. He suggested that the Board should advertise for a clerk, to act in the meantime, and then a permanent secretary should be appointed later on at a 'good salary.

On Mr Waymouth's motion the Board went into Committee to consider the question, and on resuming the Chairman.reported that it had been decided to advertise for a clerk and offices.

The Chairman said that the question as to the appointment of an engineer would have to be considered.

Mr Wigram suggested that the information before the meeting should be digested before the appointment of an engineer were considered. '

Mr Scott coEsider#d that the matter should be discussed at the next meeting, when the meeting would be in possession of the facts contained in the accumulated correspondence. He wonld move-—•''That memuers of the Board be supplied with particulars of the present tramway leases and concessions, copies of all correspondence, copies of the Tramway Acts, copies of Bir James Prendergast's award, and generally .all information.' The motion was seconded by Mr Beaven, and carried. Mr Pearoe asked whether it would be necessary to appoint bankers. The Chairman said it would be, for it would be necessary to arrange for an overdraft account.

Mr Wigram stated that there was a small overdraft account at the Bank of J»ew Zealand, which bad arisen in comquence of the election expense*. The Chairman read a letter from the Towa Clerk, stating tiiat there was an overdraft of £132 14* lid. Mr Peuree moved —"That the. Bank of New Zealand be the Bank of the Board." This wae seconded by Mr A. B. Morgan, and carried.

Th« Returning Officer's aec«#unt &»" COD - dectini; tha election amounted to £211 12s 3d. Other account* for advertising, preparing the rolls, etc., were also passed. jt was decided for the future to meet on Thuwday* at 4 p.nu, and that the next meetinit should b» called by the Chairman.