TRAM BRAKES.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 797, 21 April 1910, Page 3

TRAM BRAKES.

THE AUCKLAND COMMISSION. (By Telecripn.—Proas Association.) Auckland, April 19. The commission set up to inquire into and report upon the efficiency. and suitability of the braking system in use on the Auckland tramways -was continued before Professor R. J. Scott and Mr. A. L. Beattie to-day, when Lawrence Birks, engineer in charge at Rotorua, who has had experience of the Sydney and other tramway schemes, was called as witness. Ho expressed the opinion that air brakes fitted to the cars would be .quite suitable for tho conditions existing in Auckland. In reply to Mr. Rosser, witness - stated that he could not give an opinion as to the physical effect on the' motormen through the magnetic brake. The air brake was quicker in use than the hand brake. The commissioners then decided to make a general tour of the lines in the city and suburbs, and also to make an inspection of the cars for the purpose of becoming familiar with the local conditions and the braking equipment in use. . An adjournment of the sitting wis consequently made till to-morrow morning.

Auckland, April 20. The Commission, continued its sitting to-day. .

James Hampden Breanand, rolling stock superintendent for the Auckland Tram Compaaiy, who has had experience on the North Sydney tranl service and at Leeds, also holding the position of electrical inspector at Sydney, gave his opinion of the air brake in preference to the magnetic brake. Ho had knoisn the magnetic brake to fail on occasions. Ho estimated - the cost of installing the magnetic brakes throughout the Auckland service at approximatelj.£so,ooo, and as all the undergear would have to be reconstructed the time occupied in making the change would Bo considerable.' William A.Dutton, electrical engineer, gave it as his opinion that the air, brake, with the hand brake, was an - improvement on the magnetic, and would be.the most suitable for the Auckland conditions. The.Commission adjourned till to-mor-row.