CHRISTCHURCH TRAMS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1168, 1 July 1911, Page 10

CHRISTCHURCH TRAMS.

ANNUAL REPORT. TJIE BOARD AND THE UXIOX. ißy Telegraph.-Press Association.) Christchurch, June 29. ' -At the annual meeting of the Chrisichuieh Tramway Board, the chairman (Mr. Jl, Pearce), in the annual report, stated that the principal figures of the balance-sheet for the year ending March .'il last, wit?:—Gross earnings from operations, ,£112,198 18s.; operating expenses, •£08,038 lis. 7d.; net earning* irom operations, .til,loo 75.; deduct interest and sinking iuml, .£2I,G(iS lis. kl.; net income, ,£22,701 10s. Bd. j deduct depreciation, lire, and accident reserve, and renewals fund, .£20,572 !).-:'Bd.'j''leaiiirg a surplus of .£2210' (Is. He added: "The surplus lias, been used to reduce the valueless pie; in' iaiy expenses account, which now stands' at •£15,257. In respect of 'Chrislehureir lines during the year the board very wisely increased the depreciation and renewals, fund from' 3 per cent, to 1 per cent. If ■1 per cent, had been charged in 1010 the surplus for that year-would have been .£110!), as against ,£2210 for the past year, but it must be remembered that 1010 had the benefit of two Easter traffic periods, whereas mil had none. One Master's holiday traffic is worth ,£1320. If, therefore, this sum is deducted from 1010 ami added to 18)1 the result shows that for comparative purposes the surplus lor the year just closed was about ,£SOO belter than that of the previous year. It must, however, bo noted that while the travelling facilities offered to the public had increased by 20.8 per cent., and operating expenses have been increased by 11.5 per cent., the increase in receipts' has only been 7.1 per cent. If the Easter adjustments already referred to are allowed, the increase in receipts would be about 10 per cent. This shows that with increased facilities given there has not. been qui to the same, increased revenue, hut providing revenue is sufficient to make the necessary reserves in the way of sinking fund, depreciation, and renewals reserves, 1 hold it is the duly of the board to offer the greatest travelling facilities possible rather than endeavour to build tip largo surpluses. Hours and Conditions of Work, "During the year it became absolutely necessary to inaugurate a systematic method of showing the duties of each man, and the time he was entitled to book. Therefore, complaints had also been heard I h rough the public, press of the long hours which it was stated some of the men were required to work. The board was also desirous, in the financial interests of (he undertaking, to reduce the amount of overtime that was being paid for, and at the same time endeavour to meet complaints regarding long hours as much as possible. The slafl' was consequently increased, and a new 'roster' prepared. This came into force on February 13 last. A considerable agitation arose among men who desired a return to the old order of things. I have no wish at I this stage to traverse the whole position. ! Suffice lo say I hat although the board has I more than once expressed a desire (hat « the employees' union should submit their coiinter.-propo.sals, endorsed by a majority of tho men concerned, such proposals only I came to hand on May 31, and the key i which would show the allocation of du- ( ties ha.s not yet been received. 1 am glad to say Hint tho union's rosier accepts the position approved by the board that a systematic method of showing work with time allowed for the same should be adopted. Tho union has not been able to suggest any radical alteration in the board's "system, but has by taking small pieces'of 'broken' shift work on to various si night shifts, reduced slightly the number of broken shifts until the 'key of working' showing the union's wishes regarding the allocation of duties, distribution of Sunday and lale shift time, is forthcoming. Final _ consideration must, be withheld. The time-table has been altered since the union's rosier was submitted nerossifsting alterations in the roster, which shows iho impossibility arriving at any permanent statement of allocation of work." The report was adopted after congratulatory remarks had been made regarding the retiring chairman. Mr. Geo. T. Booth was elected chairman, and Mr. ,T. A. Flesher deputy-chairman.