F THOMPSON ]

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* ™ S aS a » 52. Do you think, if he had been such a very reckless man, that he would have had six months' Wnt y ° Ur lme WaS Co^M^~l think the Tramway Board has bTntmetLTvery 53. Do you think if he had been such a reckless man he would have remained in his employ Jw, * W ° r \ WM finished ? ~ He mi S ht have been g iven mother chance P 7 54. Who was the contractor that had the ballast-train ?—I do not remember The first lines were constructed by contractors, and the second by the Board itself 55. Had you any complaint to find as to his trustworthiness as a driver ?—The Traffic Manaeer said he was constantly giving him trouble. ° Manager J? 6 / This is the discharge given him by Mr Wood, who was your Traffic Manager ?—Yes 57 3rd April.—To whom it may concern,—The bearer, Mr JH. Timms, has worked under my supervision as an engine-driver for a period of two and a half years. During that time he has proved himself a thoroughly competent driver, as well as a man of sober and industrious habits J who reqmres the services of a first - ciass ™^™-- m f 8 - D ,°y° u think > if he was a reckless man, and held the soubriquet of " Hell-fire Jack "Mr Wood would have given him a certificate like that?—Mr Wood stated to the committee that he was always giving trouble and was a careless driver In consequence of the issuing of such testimonials we are considering whether it is wise to issue testimonials to any one. A testimonial like tha s given out of kindness to the man. 59. Then that is not an honest testimonial J— All I can say is that it does not agree with Mr Wood s opinion of the man expressed to the Staff Committee and to me also t>o Mr Blow.] You said that passengers are allowed to travel on the front of a car ?—Yes where there is a seat. s > 61 You do not allow them to do so ?—We endeavour to keep them off if the seat is full 62. It would be contrary to the spirit of the Order in Council?—lt would —Tw 6 O 3 ' H ° W many C ° nduCtors WOuld you place on a tram with a trailer attached to the motor car? _ 64. I think you said it was not always done ?-There might be on very rare occasions-suppos-ing exceptional traffic took place, and the Traffic Manager found he was short of conductors the tram might be despatched with one conductor ' 65. Would that be a breach of your Order in Council ?—Yes, in some cases 66. There are some breaches of your Order in Council ?—That would be one, but the circumstances would be quite exceptional. _67 What brakes do you use on the trailer cars?—The regular service has the hand-brake and stir di*3jK.o. 68. Have you some not in the regular service?— Yes. 69 What brakes are they?—The hand-brake. 70. Are they ever used ?—Yes, on race-days. 71 Is the use of such cars without an air brake a breach of the Order in Council ?—I am ™t aware if it is so. • + A 2 ' , Cla " 5e , 33 Of , th ? ° rde l in C °, Ul \ ci !' 3 ' r€ads ( subclau se («)), " The wheels shall be fitted with brake-blocks, which can be applied by hand-power, and also by some other approved means under the control of the motorman." That is to say, every trailer car used on your tramway is required by Order m Council to be fitted with a brake to be used by the motorman ?—Yes 73. That is not done?— No. In cars in the regular service it is done. 74. How often are those cars not in your usual service run?— Perhaps half a dozen times a year A man, if he knows his business, knows when the motorman is applying the brakes anrl immediately assists with the band-brake. lF V S DraJses > a nd 75. Have you a separate brakesman ?—We have track-cleaners and men of that stamp who are sent out to assist to brake the trains. 76. Have you a man on every trailer car ?—No, we would have one brakesman on each train uL tr^ n i m [ ght C ° nS l ist ° f half a doZen cars? — lf it consisted of half a dozen cars there probably would be three conductors or more. 78. The Order in Council requires that there should be three conductors on each train?—l believe there is some provision of that sort. 79. I understand that the Order in Council requires that every trailer shall be fitted with a brake. You have such cars?— Yes. 80. And they are used when the traffic is at the heaviest?— Yes. You might have heavy traffic from the racecourse with no stops from start to finish. That is very different from a car which "p stopping nt every stopping-place. 81 Is there any use putting these clauses into an Order in Council if they are not obeyed? The Committee has been hold that a provision is made in the Order in Council that is quite sufficient, but apparently the experience in this case negatives that, Mr Thompson. Do you not think so ?—I understand that these cars have been passed by your Resident Engineer 82. You are evading my question I —l have no desire to evade your question. 83. Here is the Order in Council: " Every trailer car used on the tramway shall comply with the following requirements : (a) The wheels shall be fitted with brake-blocks, which can be applied by hand-power, and also by some other approved means, under the control of the motorman; (b) it shall be numbered inside and outside, and the number shall be shown in conspicuous parts thereof • (c) it shall be fitted at the leading end with a suitable guard, which will act efficiently as a lifeprotector, and with a special bell to be sounded as a warning when necessary, (d) there shall be

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