[g. lomas.

106

I.—9a.

196 Do you think it would be better to put platforms on the trailers? —It would be something, because the conductor at present has seven or eight feet to stretch in going from one car to another 197 Do you think it would be a simple matter to arrange for footboards between the trailers? 198. Are you satisfied that it could be done'—Something should be done. 199 Have you ever known passengers passing from the car to the trailer? —No. 200. Do you think it would require a strong active man to stretch himself from the car to the trailer?— Yes. He would have to overreach himself, and when a man is passing from the trailer to the car there has been a leakage in the electricity in wet weather, and he might have a shock. If he had and let go, he would probably be run over _ 201 Do the conductors have to undergo any training to perform this acrobatic teat.' —JNo. 202. Do you know of any case where the Christchurch Appeal Board reversed the decision of the Staff Committee ?—Only one that I can remember 203. Ihe Appeal Board always supports the management except on that one occasion! — Naturally, I think. . 204 "What would be the result otherwise? Would the management resign because it was a reflection on their decision ?—I should take it that it would be considered as a want of confidence. 205. Or want of judgment, or want of fair play?—l suppose so. 206. Mr Hardy ] You object to passengers standing on the floor of the car alongside the motorman? —Yes. . . 207 Do the passengers interfere with the motorman in any way?—No, they do not interfere. 208. Then why do you object?— Well, in the event of an accident these persons might be hurt. 209 Is there'more danger to a passenger standing there than there would be if he were inside? —Yes, because there is glass in front of the motorman 210. You have just said in evidence that you object to passengers riding alongside ot you I —Our men did. 211 Did they report it? —No. 212 Do you not think they should have reported it as a breach of the regulations tor their own protection and the protection of the passengers?—l think they should have done so. 213. You could not blame the company for not inquiring into a matter they knew nothing about? —Not the Board itself . . 214. Is it not the duty of the motorman as well as the conductor to report these things J — I suppose it is. . , 215. Then the motorman or conductor was not doing his duty in not reporting—the men are really to blame I —Yes, the men were to blame. , 216 What is the weight of a car—from. 12 to 14 tons?— Twenty tons, I should think. 217 Assuming it to be 20 tons, how many passengers would the car carry?—lt would depend on what kind of passengers they were. 218. What is about the weight of 100 passengers?— About 5 or 6 tons. 219 Supposing they carried 150 passengers they would be an extra 3 tons? —Yes. 220 Supposing a car is 20 tons, and 100 passengers weigh 6 tons, the car is then licensed for 26 tons, and if you put on an extra fifty passengers that makes 3 tons more : would that make much difference, 3 tons on the 26 tons? —I think it would. 221 The car is licensed to carry 26 tons, and you are putting on extra passengers to the extent of 3 tons would that make much difference?—lt would make a little difference, 222. Three tons on 26 tons—what is the proportion? Take the percentage? —It is very slight. After all, is there not a great deal of fuss made about the danger to the people?—lf you have 100 per cent, more than you are licensed to carry 224 How can you have 100 per cent, more? Could you possibly put another 200 on? —1 can tell you of an instance where that happened. I was not in the service at the time driving, but I was in the shed, and I heard as a fact 225 Ido not want to hear what any one said, but what you saw?—He said in casual conversation . 226. I do not want to know anything about any casual conversation I —A car Having seatingaccommodation for thirty-two has had ninety passengers on it. 227. Do you not think that a car able to carry ninety people in such a case is not licensed for a sufficient number ?—She has not the accommodation for them. 228. And yet there were three times the number of passengers put on that car? What was the number of the car? —I cannot tell you— it was so long ago. 229 Did you report it? —No. 230. Why" did you not report it for your own protection and the protection ot the people travelling with you ? —What position are we in ? 231 Why did you not report it?—l did not think it necessary, I suppose. 232 Is your work as a motorman very dangerous?—l think it is as dangerous as other 233. Is it more dangerous than the ordinary occupations in life? —I think it is. 234! Is the work of the conductors more dangerous? —I think it is equally, or more so, if anything . ~ " 235 Do you know what the insurance companies charge for insuring the lives ot motormen and conductors? Supposing you have a wife and children, have you to pay a higher premium than an ordinary individual?—No, lam not paying more. _ 236 Then it is not a, dangerous occupation?—l think it is. 237 Are the insurance companies favouring you'—Probably they do not know the circumstances.