CITY PALACE CARS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1871, 3 October 1913, Page 8

CITY PALACE CARS.

TERMED "DEATH TRAPS*" . REMARKS IN CITY COUNCIL. Dangers of side-step cars camo up for somo little mention at tho City Council last evening.' The matter was brought up by a recommendation of tho Tramways Committee which ; stated:— "That the Tramways Board of Management bo authorised to reconstruct the present palace cars. The' proposed alteration will embrace a low step en- ' trance in the centre of tho cars, ensuring greater safety fo passengers and conductors. It was also recommended that the board be empowered to acquire the additional plant necessary to carry out the work." Councillor Tregear moved an amendment: "That the clause be referred bach, to the committee as a vote of censure for their utter disregard of the Bafoty . bf citizens, and especially of tramway conductors." A councillor: Pretty strong. Councillor Tregear: Yes; but not so strong a 9 the remarks I am going to make. : . The Mayor said that he could accept such a motion only after notice. Then it w;ould bo dealt with subsequently. Councillor Tregear: Six months hence. The; Mayor: No; in a fortnight's time. Thei Mayor added that ho would permit Councillor Tregear to move simply that the clause be referred back, hut ho could not bp allowed to cast reflections on the committee. Councillor Tregear then moved that the clause bo referred back. Ho said that tho palace cars wero a great source of danger, and he had a. list of persons who had been seriously injured bv them. The council had a responsibility towards the people of the city, ■ to which it did not seem to he alive. The council should not ,require its employees to work in death-traps. Tho killing and maiming of men lay at tho door of the committee. Councillor Fuller protested against, Buch statements. . I ' Councillor Luckie raised the point of •order that. Councillor Tregear was discussing a matter which was sub judice, being tho subject of a public works in- ! quiry. Tho council should bo protected ■ against such animadversions as were cast by Councillor Tregear. The Mayor , said that Councillor Tregear was in order in discussing any question brought up in tho report. Councillor Wright seconded the amendment pro forma. He said that a real danger existed in the continued uso of such cars. Reform was necessary. ' At _th© invitation of the council tho city engineer (Mr. W. H. Morton),made a statement. Ho said that the alterations proposed would necessitate ac- ' quiring a considerable amount of plant, 'and the engagement of at least twenty additional men. Even then the work ■ could not ho completed in less than 'two 'years. , Councillor Tregear: Meanwhile moro 'taen will have been killed. _ ; Mr. Morton suggested that'the building of the bodies of new cars should bo : carried on outside, so as to leave tho ■ sheds clear for the work of alteration : of tlio palace cars. ' The Mayor said that no one regretted ; more than tho .members of tho council tho recent accident _by which a conductor had lost his life. ; The amendment was lost, and tho ! original recommendation adopted.