OHAI RAILWAY BOARD

Southland Times, Issue 21089, 22 May 1930, Page 12

OHAI RAILWAY BOARD

REPORTS OF OFFICERS. I The following reports were submitted at the monthly meeting of the Ohai Railway Board at Wairio yesterday:— - General Manager’s Report. Five weeks have elapsed since last meeting of the board in each of which there has been a decrease in the haulage of coal- as compared with the corresponding periods of last year. This may be attributed mainly to- the Easter holidays intervening, and in quite a considerable degree to the unusually mild weather experienced. The output of coal is now, however, steadily’ improving. The net decrease for the expired portion of the financial year as compared with the same period in 1929-1930 is 3,279 tons. Engineer’s Report. •

Contract No. .9/1929, J. J. Johns: Very fair progress has been made during the month and approximately 2,385 cubic yards of material have been handled. The total amount of work in the contract is 3,286 cubic yards so that approximately 900 cubic yards remain to be done. About 500 cubic yards remain in the cutting, the balance will require to be borrowed! Today there were eleven horses, five men and a tractor employed on the work. Permanent Way: The progress on the permanent way has been good and the rails are laid to 10 miles 14 chains, 17 chains from Mt. Linton Station Road. Most of the work done was on the curve where plates and fang bolts are used every alternate which takes a considerable more amount of time. I propose to continue to Mount Linton Station Road and then get this section ready for ballast. The formation has been repegged as far as the second bridge over the Ohai stream so is available for the platelayers when required. Viaduct, at 8 miles 55 chains: Good progress has been made here and No. 5 bay has been completed and trestle erected with beams and corbels attached. No. 4 bay is nearly ready for concrete work, so that I anticipate having the bridge completed by next meeting. Fencing: The posts for the strengthening of the fence through Mount Linton and Birchwood estates have not yet come to hand, so that I have not been able to attend to this section of the work. . Traffic Manager’s Report.

Locomotive Derailment: A mishap occurred in Wairio yard to the Leyland locomotive about 7.30 p.m. on Saturday, the 17th inst. After arriving at Wairio from Reeds with the passenger service and allowing the passengers to alight, the Leyland engine moved forward with the empty carriage for shunting purposes, but was derailed at the north end cross over points owing to the points not being properly set and secured. The leading wheels of the locomotive straddled the switches and after leaving the rails travelled a rail length before coming to a standstill. As the engine was idling at the moment with the gear control in neutral, no strain was communicated to the engine or gear box. The damage resulting was confined to the brake gear and to an axle box guide. The damaged parts were attended to by Messrs Wilson Bros., the makers, on Monday evening.