G. LOMAS.j

99

I.—9a

264. Did Cook have an unfair trial?—l cannot say 265. Was he represented by the secretary of the union?— No. 266. Was he represented at all?—He could not be represented until the award came in, and this was previous to the date of the award. 267 Since the date of the award the secretary of the union has been permitted to be present and to represent the men?— Yes. 268. Cook was the driver of one car: who was the driver of the other? Kelly 269 Were you satisfied with Kelly's dismissal?— Yes. 270. Your union came to the-conclusion that Kelly was the person at fault, and not Cook? —Cook had driven the engine, and Kelly was the conductor of the car A passenger got off Cook's car, and said there was going to be a collision and shouted ' Look out." 271 Do you think that shows that Cook was not guilty?—lf he was standing still he should have had the benefit of the doubt. 272 Was the passenger called as a witness?—l could not say 273. Have you any reason to doubt that Cook had an opportunity of calling any witnesses he chose?—l suppose ho had. 274. I suppose you will admit that a man who is responsible for a head-on collision ought to be ' sacked " ?—That is the rule, of course. 275. And it is a fair rule in the interests of the public?— Yes, but in his case there was some doubt. 276. The man responsible ought to be " sacked." You will agree with me that far?— Yes. 277 Yexy well, some one has to determine whether or not?— Yes. 278. I take it that you were not present, and do not know anything about the facts? No. 279 Do the Board always treat the complaints with courtesy?— Yes, so far as I have been before them. 280. They have a system of merits and demerits is that a good system ?—No, it is not satisfactory 281 Why do you think it is not a good system ?—lt is, from their view 282 What system would you adopt of awarding them?—l think I should be satisfied with what they do in other places 283. Why do you think so?— Because the merits are not awarded fairly 284. If the marks were awarded fairly do you think it would then be a good system? If they were given out fairly it would not be a bad system. In a case where I prevented an accident on a Sunday afternoon I got no merits. According to the book we are supposed to receive merits for avoiding accidents. That case of mine was never acknowledged. 285. You made a good stop and were not rewarded?— That is so. 286. Was the Manager's attention drawn to it?—No, 1 did not think it was necessary 287 Whom do you blame for not giving you the marks? —The Traffic Manager 288. Did the Traffic Manager know of it? —Certainly, he was in the Court at the time. Mr Thompson was in the Court at the time of the Brakes Commission, but not responsible for not receiving merits. 289. You made a good stop and you did not get your marks for it, because either (lie authorities did not know of it or did not consider you were entitled to tho marks?—l think 1 was entitled. Another instance was when 1 was coming across the East Belt and a motor-car got in front of me, and the Manager, Mr Wood, saw that happen, and he never recognized it. 290. Did you ask for consideration?—l did not think it necessary, when the Manager sees these things. There have been other reports sent in which have not been acknowledged. 291 And I suppose there are faults of omission that have not been noted?—l suppose so. 292. The burden of your complaint is that they favour some men, and not others?— There have been cases. I refer to the traffic. 293 No Government regulations would help you there?— Not in regard to that sort of thing. I should not expect it. 294. As to the trailers : you say some of the trailers on the Stunner route do not have any communication between the cars?—No, the conductor has to swing from one to the other, from the platform on to the buffer 295. Are there glass fronts on the cars?— Yes. 296. And on tho trailers? —No. 297 There would be glass on the back as well as the front of the car?— Yes. 298. Does that not present a difficulty in having to step?—l do not know A man may have to stretch some 7 ft. 299 Have you made any suggestion to the Manager about that?—l think some letters have been written by the union about it. 300. What you want, I understand, is some sort of a step?— Yes. 301 But you know it cannot be done with the glass fronts? —That is so. 302. The Christchurch Board has not put a brake on some of the trailers?— That is so. 303 Is not the hand-brake sufficient for them? —No. 304. Your only trouble about the hand-brake on a trailer is that it cannot be operated on by the motorman? —Yes. 305. I understand the trailers have two life fenders or guards on them? —No. 306. Have the cars got two life-guards?— Yes. 307 That is more than the Order in Council requires?—l do not know the Order in Council. 308. I understand the Order in Council requires one?— One at each end. 309 You do not know whether the cars have more or less than the Order in Council requires, but you do say they have two life-guards?— Yes, but when you are drawing trailers you have only one.