NEW PLYMOUTH TRAMWAYS.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 July 1919, Page 2

NEW PLYMOUTH TRAMWAYS.

OBJECTIONS TO ONE-MAN SYSTEM. A Magisterial inquiry into the objections lodged against the introduction of what is known as the one-man Bystem of operating ,the tramways in New Plymouth was opened, at the Courthouse yesterday, before Mr J. W Povnton, S.M.

Mr J. 11. Quilliam appeared on behalf of the Borough Council, Messrs W. H. Fitzpatriek and George Ulanchard, for the petitioner-objectors, Mr H. R. Billing for the members of the Tramway Uuioiij and Mr H. Kmvbell for the Public. Works Department, whom he represents in all matters affecting tramway systems. .

Mr Blanchard stated that petitioners were not in a position ,to go on with their case as they were expecting some further information from various parts of the world on the running of the oneman system, and this had not yet come to hand.

Mr Billing said while ,the Tramway Union had lodged no objection to the proposal, he was instructed to support the objectors, on behalf of the Union and had evidence to submit in support. He raised a formal objection to going j on with the inquiry at the present stage on the ground that the requisite ten days' notice had not been given. Mr Kimbell pointed out that while his Department had the safety of the public to consider, on the question of the application for -the order authorising the adoption of the system they occupied a neutral position. He pointed out, however, that the Department was not compelled to recommend the granting of the application. Mr Quilliam pointed out that it hod been well-known to all parties that the inquiry was coming on, and the council was prepared to answer all objections to the proposal a3 soon as they were heard. After some discussion it was agreed to hear such evidence as would be tendered and to adjourn the further hearing of the case to a later date. «

Mr Billing then proceeded to call his evidence on the' understanding that he would bo allowed to call further evidence later if considered necessary. ■ , George R. White, motorman, objected to the system on the grounds of public safety. He gave an instance of an occurrence in Auckland when he was working on the cars there, when, but for the fact that there had been a conductor on the car there would'have been a serious accidenti The motorman had fallen off, and witness, as conductor, went to the front ■ platform and succeeded in stopping the car just in time to avert an accident. On. the local cars the conductor, on receiving a signal from, the motormanj. could put on the hand-brake, or pullj the trolley pole front the overhead wire. If there was only one man on the car such an emergency would be impossible. At rush periods it would bo impossible to keep to time-table under the one-man system. To Mr Quilliatn: He had had no experience of .the one-man system. His objections were based on his experience of working cars, and what he believed was lifeely to happen. He gave several instances of motormen having fits while driving,- He had never known of a man on the New Plymouth tramways system having a fit while on service. In regard, .to the one-man' system as operated in' Ballarat he thought there was no comparison with the New Plymouth system; as in the Australian system I there was, he believed, a double track throughout.

To Mr Kimbell; He did not think thero was much overloading on the local system. It only occurred at certain periods and he did not think it exceeded 75 per cent of the seating accommodation., He did not think it would be necessary, in the event of the order being granted,. to reduce the accommodation onihe local t.<ra. He had no knowledge of what was known as the "dead man" cbhtrol.

Herbert Ward, conductor, said he had had occasion many times to put men off caTB for - drunkenness and using bad language. The practice of boarding a car after it has started was fairly common. As a conductor he had: been able to help; many people on to tho car, which would' Hot have been the cage jn a oneman system. At rush times it would be hard to get fares collected. Even under the present system the motormen had often to travel slowly over the biggest part of a section in order to allow time for the collection of fares.

To Mr Quilliam: He was only a conductor and knew nothing about driving the cars. He 4id no.t think the fact that the one-man system was only to be applied to the slack time of the day would remove his objection to it. He admitted that under the proposed system it would be impossible for anyone to board a car at the rear end, as it would be closed up. To' Mr Kimbell: The overcrowding in New Plymouth occurred practically only at : night, after entertainments or on special; occasions such as shows.

" To Mr Fitzherbert: He thought, in the etwe of accidents, it, would, be infinitely safer if there were two otitlete fisoßt.jd car instead-jiS only one,. •- Patrick GT O'Gorman, motorman, who also objected funds' of public safety, referred to one system in California where the opinion .system wa« tried for four days and then "scrapped."! Personally.. hev;;WOuld. feel much,,.safer with a car if he knew he had a'con-: doctor at'the-hack of the car.

To .W Ki#fbell: ®S %oiild that if prie-mhnwas ■'tfttthorised' it, would' W'-fteceskify Wflffce-th&'tfpaefl bf' cars, is; set <bUt .iri 'the* application l for the Order.'' i i'-v.it- ■,.-.;

, To Mr Billing: In the evertt'aaf 'ftß P 7 conductor •would lotifc niter- the' iwii'6 : iaijd v keep tlie, ftublii away -'Wtfesf-it. "i a'-ons-mftji system, his 'a Blipposed So-letive' hh'itef; that 1 could c oot take jsfcoe, > oiv , , a '-This concluded the- avifleiKie fltfd as tho petitioner-obfefctora.'decMiied iid profieftt iftthotit the additional information "they dfesired- -to haver the Inquiryv.was adjourned until July 231 d. . ' /.v It wis arranged that a demonstration in tho handling of cars should be given to the Magistrate, with all the interested parties, during the afternoon, .