26

H.-24

" The magnetic brake is, when properly handled, very effective; but considerable care is necessary in training men, as otherwise there is a great liability of them giving too strong an application of current, and thereby occasioning very severe stops, causing inconvenience to passengers. " In connection with the use of the magnetic brake it must be explained that when the brake is being operated for retardation purposes the motors by which the car is operated are in service for braking purposes; hence it arises that these motors are no sooner out of use for propelling the car than they are called upon for use in connection with controlling or stopping the car, consequently the motors are in almost constant use. This necessitates more powerful motors being installed on cars operated by the magnetic brake than would otherwise be required for propelling the car. . . » ij. • ■ " One of the objects in installing magnetic brakes m Sydney was with a view of obtaining a more economical brake for maintenance purposes than the air brake; but subsequent experience showed that, owing to the difficulty indicated in connection with the motors, no such saving was apparent This is, of course, a difficulty that might be overcome by installing larger motors in the first instance; but the cost of the additional motors would be a fair charge against the cost of the brake, and it is doubtful, therefore, if it would show as good results as the air brake in the first cost and subsequent maintenance. ■ . . " One great advantage in connection with compressors operated by independent motors is that brakes on trail cars can be operated from the controller used by the driver in front of the tram; and up to the present I am not aware of any satisfactory method of operating the magnetic brake on trail j. rf Auckland tramways lam of opinion that an air brake operated by an independent motor-diiven compressor would satisfactorily meet all requirements on the rolling- S now in operation, and lam further of opinion that such a type of brake would com- , mand the confidence of the drivers operating the cars, and I should have no hesitation in recommendinTa recognised type of air brake of the description indicated m preference to the magnetic brak f,' At the pregent time 900 electric motor-cars are being operated in connection with the Sydney ! + • I Ofthis number some eighty are still fitted with the magnetic brake. The electric tramways Of thinumber sonre > Z . rf tfae cars be ; n? fitted with As previously stated, the balance of the magnetic Moving the san, to be by 191 °> me-A. Wigram Allen, Notary Public, Sydney, N.S.W." .... ~ . ~r brake were mcd ;butthe «^»™* »>» M (op ~„ ,„; twe ,, e „ , these two oars m Auckland on wh.cn '« arc »» h practically no skidding and no iT Sf' S I »T Vaffn'"e rT t.peSi.™ir tato L. been'.b.r.ughl, »tirf»«o,y The, re,,o„.b, y p.»b,V-.r the ear .. h.,. skidded ££!£.% .n'ctnSSf,? ~ or two questions in elucidation 01 one or wo _p rTln i rr vran> —The systems we have m use are Mr. Walhlate (duly sworn and examined by^ operated by hand-that the hand-brake operating on the wheels a - the dipper or t, j is known as the Spencer brake. In add^J^ t^ fe The enl ergency brake is by connecting of the motors, or what is known as the emergency b "Ke intend * d to drive the other motor, the motors up so that one motor is working .«£ f»f££ Z the controller. It is put into That is put in action by a movement but by different movements, operation by moving the same levers as the r^V t % t the cars is carried on the slipper of course. I cannot tell you what *« ° uU ticulars later on. blocks, as I have not got the> calcula ion. We wll B™7 in P opening , b ut I may have someMr. Rosser.— l do not propose to take up VCT y M hag outlined the position thing to say afterwards before the MyfrwndUj of from the company's standpoint, and I tmn.c j company had taken up the position the union in this second inquiry- Mr. Myers t to recede one that the brakes are efficient Md J 1 Commission, that they considered that it iota from the position taken up by them or the, previo was not an effective brake system, position is otherwise, they are prepared to pany has altered its position, and, ™ e ™f 5 r ° m , C( ! effective brake was needed on the Smit the decision of the previous Commission «at *™- « algo modified posit ion. Auckland system, and that being the y and the bulk of it is union evidence, A mass of evidence was taken before * c ;°™' ,S ntlemen to g0 over the whole system again, and when the commission was issued once more. I have to say this: we were afraid that we should have to go w has beell more in antagonism with t preLSt tK X I think, since the establishment of