TRAMWAY BOARD.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11508, 14 February 1903, Page 8

TRAMWAY BOARD.

♦ ■ APPOINTMENT OF ENGINEER DECIDED UPON. A epscial meeting of the Christchurch District Tramways Board was held yesterday. Present—Messrs W. R<*ce (chairman), n. F. Wigram, A. W. Beavty), G. G. Stead (QJiristchunch-Sydcnham-St. AlIww), H. Pearce (Linwood), G. Scott (Wool*-i4>n-Sumner-Heathcote), F. Waymouth (Ric-curton-Halswel), and A. B. Morgan (New Brighton-Avon). , The Chairman stated that forty-four applications had boen received for the temporary clerkship, and the sub-committee had appointed Mr Frank Thompson to the position. Un'.y three or four applications had "beui received in responw to fhe ady<-rtis-±----wunt for temporary oflkes, and after inspection the sub-committee had taken two rooirw in tho pivir.LEcs recently occupied by the Lias, Company. At the feud of lour months the Buaid iii-d the opt:on»of taking it for a term. <J The action of the mib-committ«e was approved. The Chairman hoped the Board would be as successful in ita operations as I'm company which had previously occupied the offices. At last meeting it had been resolved that certain information should be supplied members. The preparation of this intonnation had been pushed on, but some litt.« time was necessary to obtain the deeds of concession and to make a precis of them. The matter before the Board wae the appointment of an engineer, as there were ssveral points likaly to coi.ou up at once for decision. In the" first place, the Board vou'.d require advice legarding the present concessions. He understood that the several corapank-e desired that this mutter should ba gone into at the earliest possible nionient. In that matter an engineer's advice would bo necessary. His advice would also be required in the preparation of a scheme for submission to t-h6 latepayers, and he :orjside;x<i that the aclnano adopted should ba one to be carried out by the engineer who drew it up; it would bo inadvisable for the Board to draw up a scheme and have it adopted by the ratepayers only to find out that it could not bo carried out- There were three classes of applications trhich members had before them~«-dennite oilers from e'.ectrical engineering tirtths who proper to undertake the whole of the work, charging a commission and superintending the whole of the operations; then there were engineers offering their services; and applications asking for information with a view of tendering. The question for the •Board was whether an engineering firm should do the work on commission or whether they should appoint an engineer of their own. The latter woe, he thought, what those who had elected them expected. As many of the applications were marked "confidential," he suggested the advisableness of the Board xonsidering them in committee. Tile Board considered the applications in committee On resuming, it was reported 'that on tho motion of Mr G. Scott, seconded by Mr A. B. Morgan, it had been decided that the Board obtain the services of an engineer; and that several applications had been dealt with, one of whdeh wae considered especially suitable, ami the Board had authorised the Chairman to enter into negotiations with the applicantThe Chairman intimated that the information regarding, concessions would probably be ready for the next meeting to. be held in a fortnight's time. ' *' Lettere from the Socialist Church and the Trades and Labour Council, asking that the Board, in accepting tenders, should take into consideration the tenderers' methods of conducting business, were ordered to lie on the table. ' Mr iScott brought up the question of obtaining legislation giving tbe Board running powere over portions of the existing lines, the concessions in regard to whoh expire at different periods. Mr Wigram expressed the opinion that the Board had power. under the Public Works Act to take over the lines at a valuation. Mr Waymouth pointed ottfc that the matter was one upon which the Board should obtain legal' advice, and suggested that the Board should appoint legal advisers. The matter was considered! in committee, and on resuming it wae reported that Messrs Irard and Loughnan had' been appointed •plicitors to the Board.

Mr Scott hoped that advice would! be obtained as early as possible on the question of the , necessity of getting legislative power to run over the lines, "the concessions respecting which would rtm%ut at different periods; and, on the question whether, during the construction- of the Board's lines, the Board could l run conveyances, such as draffs, to transport passengers. The Chairman noted these matters with a view of referring them to the Board's solicitors* The Board then adjourned , .