OHAI RAILWAY BOARD

Southland Times, Issue 18967, 14 June 1923, Page 6

OHAI RAILWAY BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. (From Our Own Correspondent.) At the monthly meeting of the Ohai Railway Board held on Tuesday, Mr A. W. Rodger occupied the chair, and there were also present: Messrs W. J. A. McGregor, G. S. Edie, J. King, W. Excell, D. D. Macdonald, and-.W; Crawford. The Chairman, in his report, stated that the Board's locomotive FlO had come back from the railway workshops, and w r as fitted with air air sand connection and Westinghouse brake, but the other FA engine was still in the workshops. He, with Mr Crawford, had deferred securing additional rails and sleepers until the engineer’s survey of a new route from Ohai to Birchwood had been decided upon. A satisfactory supply of ballast was now being procured. The secretary of the Public Works Department forwarded a letter he had received in protest against lifting the WairioMossbank branch, and the letter was to be handed to the Board’s solicitors for reply. The Clerk was directed to write Birchwood Coal Co. acknowledging their recent hospitality to members of the Board. The Clerk was also directed to arrange a date, when those who objected to a new line of railway could submit their case to the Board. The Engineer was to arrange with Messrs Booth, Macdonald and Co. for delivery of points and crossings according to plans and specifications. The Board’s engineer was also directed to install lifting gear in the Wairio engine-shed, and the Clerk was also to communicate with G. V. Beattie that the Board proposed to remove the Burndale Siding since it was not in use.

Regarding the delay in delivery of hardwood sleepers, W. Smith & Co. wrote stating that these had been ready for shipment from Australia in March last, but had been held up for lack of shipping space. The consideration of this contract was held over. The plate-laying gang was authorised to carry out the manager’s request for an extension of the Mossbank public siding in order to accommodate additional waggons to meet the increased traffic. On the recommendation of the Engineer and Manager, an increased scale of wages was agreed upon for the permanent way, locomotive and traffic staffs, and an addition to the personnel of the first-named to overhaul the Mossbank branch in accordance with the requirements of the Railway District Engineer. Regarding the encroachment of gorse on certain lands and right-of-way, the Engineer was asked to supply a report upon the responsibility of the occupiers. Consideration was held over until next meeting, pending the presence of the manager concerning the proposed petrol coaches, plans of which were submitted. Mr J. P. Ford asked for compassionate consideration in the loss of several horses killed in a recent accident. The Board, while sympathising with Mr Ford, regretted that no allowance could be made. Wallace County Council wrote forwarding letter from S. F. Ford, complaining of •delay to settlers in holding up traffic at level crossing. The Clerk was instructed to reply that every precaution was taken, but the amount of traffic made the delay unavoidable. The Linton Coal Co. wrote regarding the difference in truck weights of the Board and the Railway Department, and the Clerk was directed to reply claiming accuracy for the Board’s weights. Questions submitted regarding the operation of Moretown line were referred to the Board’s solicitors for opinion. The annual meeting of the ratepayers of the railway district was fixed for Saturday, July 7, at 2 p.nr, in the Wairaki School. It was decided to revert to the second Friday of the month for Board meetings as from July 13. The Engineer submitted a lengthy report of investigations on the alternative route line from Ohai to Birchwood, with comparative estimate of oost, and recommended adherence to the present plan. After a lengthy discussion the original route was adhered to by tlje Board. Accounts amounting to £2649 16/3 were passed for payment.