OHAI RAILWAY BOARD

Southland Times, Issue 19223, 19 April 1924, Page 7

OHAI RAILWAY BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of Board was held attended by Mesfcra A. W. Rodger (chairman), W. J. A. McGregor, James King, W. Crawford, D. D. Macdonald and G. W. 8. Edie. The manager and engineer, Mr W. ExaJi, was granted leave of t absence. The chairman reported that’ a conference hod taken place on the ground at Birghwood coal siding between representatives 6f the Wallace County Council and life Ohai Railway Board. Mr McGregor, member for the Riding, and the County Engineer had been present bn behalf of the County, The Board representatives were M<*sr« Rodger, Crawford and the engineer. Work on the extension of the line from Ohai had been stopped by order of the Council and the conference had taken place to overcome the deadlock. After discussion the embargo had been lifted and the contractor resumed work.

Arising out of the. conference, th© following report being submitted to next mooting of the County Council was read, having been furnished by the Clerk of the County Council: “Ro Ohai railway construction on the Birchwood main road.—This woi;k was started without conferring with. the local authority us provided by section 61 (subsection 2) of The Local Railway Act, 1914, as to the doing or alteration such work might entail on the roads, The chairman, engineers and members of the Ohai Railway Board met the County Engineer and member of tho Riding on the ground on the Ist inst., and were told by the Board they could go where they liked on the road and would aot deviate from their proposed lino to a kt tic more on the side of tho road to lessen risk as was pointed out. 'Hie Board agrees to take the risk to fence the line on each side, to put in crossings, cattle stops, culverts and water-tables where necessary and further to form and gravel a road and footpath tho north side of this lino along such length of road-line as the Board’s line entails and to the satisfaction of the Wallace County Council” Strong objection was taken to tho tenor and inference of the report, tho Board’s delegates pointing out that at no stage had there been any intention or attempt to ignore tho Council. The Board had throughout followed the advice of its solicitor in each step taken in the construction of the line, and no objection had been mode by the Council 1 when public notice was given and tho plan of the ?oute made available for inspection prior to work being commenced. The chairman expressed the opinion that the Council had actually exceeded its rights in holding up the work. Mr McGregor said that all trouble, would probably have been avoided if formal notice had been given tho Council in accordance with section 61 of the Local Railways Act.

Tho chairman and engineer claimed that the requisite notice had been given and the plan made public prior to work being proceeded with and the County Council had failed to lodge any protest. As it was also considered the report placed responsibilities upon the Board which had not been agreed to, but had been It,ft open for negotiation, it was resolved the chairman forward a reply to the Council. In view of tho early inauguration of a regular passenger service, it was resolved to direct the solicitor to prepare regulations and by-laws covering the service.

It was decided that the chairman enter into negotiations with the Railway Department for the necessary carriages for a passenger service, and also that in the event of the Board having to meet the wants of Nightcaps township for a passenger service and for passenger goods and stock accom modation of Nightcaps, the chairman if necessary proceed to Wellington to confer with the heads of the Department to finalise arrangements.

The chairman reported that for the twelve months ending March 31 the Board had carried over its line more than 162,000 tons of coal and that over 40 per cent, of this quantity was for destinations outside of Southland.

Th© engineer reported that contractors had made good progrees during the month; that Hoare and party would complete their contract during April and be entitled to their final payment at an early meeting. Platelaying on tho final section to Ohai would commence on 12th inst and the line would be open for traffic before the end of May. Formation on tho Coal Companies’ siding was well forward and lie had pre pared plans for the lay-out of Birchwood and Ohai Companies sidings at tho site of the former Company’s tiphead. A consignment of sleepers for the third section to Birchwood was landing ex Kittawa and tho whole of the rails ex T&iroa had arrived at Bluff that day. Ballast would be required immediately after Easter holidays. The engineer was directed to submit the allocation of cost of coal companies’ sidings to next meeting. Plan of Birchwood Ohai Company’s sidings was approved, engineer to submit offer to the companies and got authority to proceed with work and secure a price for doing it

The manager reported that two bolster trollies had been received and were good machines; that shunter H. T. Allen, injured on August 15, 1922, had been certified as fit to return to duty. Mr Crawford was appointed to confer with Shunter Allen and come to some mutual arrangement with the N.Z. Insurance Co. for a settlement of accident claim.

The Railway Department’s Permanent Way Inspector had drawn attention to the defective condition of the Moasbank line and the manager reported having put ganger and six men on to recondition line for running pending opening of the new line to Ohai.

The manager asked for a light crane and weighing mactflne for use in loading engine coal at WairioThd for a new office in a more convenient position.—lt was resolved that the engineer and manager submit proposals to next meeting for best method of handling engine caol at Wairio and plan of new office.

Ohai Coal Co. applied for a siding and tho matter was referred to the engineer to deal with.

Messrs Macalister Bros, wrote regarding position of transfer of the portion of road at Wairio.—Matter left in solicitor’s hands to complete. W. 8. Hunter, solicitor, wrote for an increase in compensation payable for land taken in the late Mrs Brazier's estate.— The Clerk was directed to offer, without prejudice, £7 10s in full settlement. Hon. Minister of Railways wrote declining any concession in charge for repairs to the Board’s locomotives.-- The matter was left in the chairman’s hands for further negotiations. The Chief Postmaster wrote that th© Moretown Post Office wm being closed unless the Board was sufficiently interested to arrange for a local representative to act as postmaster. —No action taken, the Board having no interest. The Black Diamond Coal Co. wrote that they did not acknowledge any further liability for payment of "balance claimed in connection with charge for deviation of line at their mine.—Left to chairman to interview the secretary of the Company. The Birchwood Coal Co. asked for permission to load coal on the public siding near their tiphead pending completion of trials they were making of their coalfield.— The matter was left in the hands of the engineer to deal with. Arrangements for SH official opening of the line to Ohai were left in the hands of the chairman.

The chairman reported that a history of operations of the Board, including the preliminary steps taken prior to the creation of the railway district and embracing a pictorid review of the building of the line and the mining activities served was being prepared.