Keeping Down Sparks

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 68, 22 March 1935, Page 5

Keeping Down Sparks

WHAT RAILWAY DEPARTMENT HAS BONE.

No less than £35,000 has been spent by the Railway Department in the last few years experimenting with and fitting a new improved typo of spark arrester and in improving the ashpan doors on engines to prevent the escape of sparks, the General Manager of Railways informed the Manawatu Provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union by letter yesterday in reply to tho union’s complaint regarding grass fires caused by passing trains. The writer added that there was no prospect of totally preventing the emission of sparks. The solo use of hard coal would not improve matters-to anything like a degree (if at all) that would justify the great increase in expenditure that would bo incurred thereby. However, when the tire risk became so apparent the department did change over to hard coal in those areas, including the Foxton line, where the fire risk, was greatest, in order to secure any possiblo benefit that could be obtained thereby. The letter also detailed other steps taken by the department to reduce fire risks and pointed to tlie fact that wherever practicable, notice was given to occupiers of 'adjoining lands before any burning off on railway land was begun but as it was noteworthy how farmers took advantage of the railwavmcn’s presence to clear at the same time, the rubbish off (heir own land near the railway line. .Mr B. Lynch (t’araparaumu) said he had property on both sides of tho railway line and had never had a notice from the department of iutentions to burn. 1-le knew for a fact that the firemen of engines had continually complained of the coal they had to use and of having to continually rake their lire boxes to get a draught. As for the burning off it was done too early in the season by the department. There was quite a lot of hay made on the railway property alongside the line by lessees and even railway employees. -Other members considered tho reply unsatisfactory, Mr Gower stating that on the Foxton lino those against the railway line were afraid to leave their homes when the train was due to pass. Mr Lynch urged that the department :should push on with the installation of spark-proof gear as quickly as possible. If the loss to farmers were capitalised, it would more than pay for the new gear. Mr J. Boyce argued that the coal had a Jot to do with the matter. The Sanson tram hail not caused a single fire because the County Council used hard coal. It was decided lo request the department to push on with its fire-prevention work in readiness for next summer.