INFESTED WITH GRUB

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 72, 18 December 1937, Page 8

INFESTED WITH GRUB

Sleepers From Australia

A Press Association report from Blenheim stating that a species of weevil had been discovered in a number of hardwood sleepers imported for the South Island main trunk railway was confirmed yesterday by the Minister of Public Works, Hou. R. Semple. "It is true that some of the sleepers sent here from Australia are not up to standard and that some of them are infested with grub,” he said. The Minister said that immediately the position was discovered steps had been taken to stop any further supply of the sleepers from Australia and a cablegram had been sent to Australia asking for the principal official concerned to come to New Zealand nt once. A reply had been received that Mr. Cook, chief timber inspector, would be leaving Sydney by the Awatea for Auckland and would arrive at Wellington on December 21. Investigations were proceeding to ascertain the number of sleepers affected, the Minister added. The grub found in lhe sleepers was an Australian grub, and, quite apart from that, some of the sleepers were not up to standard. Everything possible had been done to have matters adjusted as soon as possible.