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220. Do you think the conductor who reported it would consider he would have a fair appeal? -Do you not think a matter like that could be left to public opinion J The City Councillor is only one oi a number " J 221 Do you think that is a fair and impartial situation ?—I can only say, as I said before you might leave a matter like that to public opinion. The public would see that"at the next election that man would not have a possible chance of doing so again. _ 222 Mr Hardy] Are the tramways in Christchurch pretty well managed as a whole?—l think so. " 223. Are the members of the Tramway Board responsible men? Yes. 224. Are they capable men?—l think so. 225 Who are they? —The present Board consists of Mr Reese, Mr Beaven Mr Booth Mr Walter Hill, Mr. Staples, Mr J A. Flesher, Mr D Sykes, Mr C M. Gray, and'myself 226. They are elected by the ratepayers?— That is so. 227 Is there any keen competition for election to that Board?— With the exception of the Riccarton district, I think there always is. 228. So that the ratepayers are alive to the capacity of the men who will manage their affairs on the Board ?—Yes. 229. Is Mr Reese a capable man ?—Yes. 230. Is Mr Booth a capable man?— Yes. I think that in the case of either Mr Reese or Mr Booth their businesses will speak for themselves. 231. Mr Booth is connected with the firm of Booth, Macdonald, and Co. ?—Yes. 232 Who are the others ?—Mr Flesher is a solicitor 233 He is a capable man, and brings his knowledge to bear in connection with the tramways?— Yes. Then we have Mr Staples, Chairman of Waimairi County Council: and then there is Mr Sykes, who is also a member of local bodies. 234. Are they capable men?— Yes. 235. And who are the others?—Mr Walter Hill is one of the keenest business men in Christchurch, without a doubt. 236. And Mr Beaven?—He is a member of the firm of Andrews and Beaven 237 A capable man?— Yes. 238. And altogether you think the citizens are happy in their selection of members of that Board ?—Perhaps it should not be for me to say Ido not want to praise my Board, but I think we have a very good Board in Christchurch. 239 Do you think the citizens have any reason to complain as to the management of the trams? —We have had no complaints. 240. You were not particularly clear in your answer when the Minister asked you whether your Board could carry on its business as well as other people do you think your" foreman of works could carry on the Public Works Department as well as the present Minister? I do not think so. 241 In the same way, what you have just told me about the members of your Board bears out what 1 say?— Yes. 242 Now, with regard to this Bill, have you read it?— Yes. 243. You understand it?— Yes. 244. And you are not very well satisfied with it? —No. 245 You think the Bill proposes to hand over the tramways to the employees? That is really about what it amounts to. 246. Mr McLaren.] How many members of your Board are drawn from the employing class of the community?—l think pretty well the whole of them are. Mr Sykes at present is not in business, and I think the same applies to Mr Staples. 247 You say there is no overcrowding in your trams?— Only at rush times. It is not allowed then, but we get it. 248. Are passengers allowed to stand beside the motormen in the cars?—No, we have a very strict rule about that. 249 Do you know if any stiff communications were sent to your Board with reference to passengers standing alongside the motormen while they are working? —I did not know that. 250. Are you Chairman of the Board ?—Yes. 251. Would that communication not come before you?— Matters like that would go before the General Manager Was this within the last two years? 252. Yes. Would it not come before you?—No, it would go before the Staff Committee, of which Mr Beaven is Chairman 253. Would you not be likely to see a protest of that nature?— Well, a matter like that is passed on to the Staff Committee, who deals with it. lam a member of that committee ex officio 254. You say that you have no knowledge of it?— No. 255. Mr Poole.] Have you ever known overcrowding to interfere with the efficiency of your motormen and conductors? —Yes, with regard to the conductor collecting fares at rurfi time. 256. Have you ever censured any conductors for interfering with passengers who caused the overcrowding on the cars?— No. 257 Have you ever known any conductors in any service to be interfered with became they were anxious to keep the number down to something like normal?—l could not say anything about outside of Christchurch. 258. Mr. Luke ] Is there a trailer for each one of your cars?— No. We have certain trips in Christchurch on the Sumner line on which we have trailers. 259 Can you give me an idea of how many trailers are out on Saturday?—No, Mr Thompson would be able to give you that.

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