OHAI RAILWAY BOARD

Southland Times, Issue 21273, 19 December 1930, Page 16

OHAI RAILWAY BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. (From Our Correspondent.) The monthlyjneeting of the Ohai Railway Board was held at Mairio on Wednesday, when the following members were present: Messrs W. Crawford (chairman), E. Davis, W. Excell, G. S. Edie, G. Birder, D. D. \ Macdonald, L. S. Edmond and W. J. A. McGregor. The general manager, engineer and traffic manager were also in attendance. The chairman extended a welcome to Mr Birties, who was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr R. N. Robertson, and trusted his term as a member would be a pleasant one. Mr Dodds, Ohai, wrote stating that he had been deputed by the Invercargill Committee to arrange for a canvass being made for the Cancer Research Fund, and asked for a donation from the board. After discussion, Mr McGregor moved that £2O be voted subject to authority being received. This was seconded by Mr Edie and carried. The matter of a small landing stage being erected at sidings for the convenience of passengers travelling by the Leyland was brought up by Mr Edmond, who stated that one of the steps of the carriage had been broken, making it difficult for passengers to alight. The question of overcoming this inconvenience was referred to tho traffic manager. The installation of a dog box on the Leyland was left in the hands of the general and traffic managers. Mr Edmond also brought up the question of the time lost in'waiting for men at, Reed’s. He stated that the men from the Birchwood mine had been given the opportunity to travel by the train, and they had not availed themselves of it. He suggested that the ten minutes’ wait at this point should be cut out. If this were not done the board was going to lose revenue, as some of the men would travel by curs. The chairman said the present timetable was fairly satisfactory, and it would not be wise to change. . The traffic manager was directed to report on the passengers carried at next meeting. The matter of giving Mr Porteous access was discussed, and it was decided that it be attended to. The chairman said they had come to the close of another year, and he wished members and the staff the compliments of the season. The depression had been general, and he hoped the incoming year would be more prosperous. Mr Excell reciprocated the sentiments expressed on behalf of the members, while Messrs Rodger (office staff) and Williams (engineering staff) trusted the same happy relations as hitherto would exist. General Manager's Report. The general manager (Mr A. W. Rodger) presented the following report: • During the two weeks immediately succeeding the date of my last report, there was an increased output of coal as compared with the same period last year of 1065 tons. Owing, however, to boiler inspection at the mines and other causes, the haulage for last week showed a decrease of 1860 tons, the net result being that the decrease for the expired portion of the financial year is now 11,219 tons as compared with 10,424 tons when I last reported. Increase in freights on Government Railways: The Minister of Railways has advised that after carefully considering the representations made by the interested parties, he has altered the incidence and gradation of the increase in freights with a view to causing the least possible disturbance to the industry as a whole. The increases in rates which came into force on the 14th inst. are as follows: 11 per cent, up to 200 miles, then gradually increasing from 11 percent, until 13 per cent, is reached at 250 miles and from 250 miles onwards the increase is at the rate of 13 per cent. It is satisfactory that the representations made on behalf of the Southland coal mine owners has had' the desired result. Engineer’s Report. The following report was submitted by Mr F. J. Williams (engineer) : Permanent Way:'The laying of the permanent way has proceeded satisfactorily since my last report, taking into consideration the bad weather experienced, and the line is now laid to 11 miles 49 chains. There remains only 16 chains to lay together with the Birchwood loop of 10 chains. The material is all well forward, so the incoming week will see the track laying completed. The ballasting will be put in hand immediately after the holidays and as there is over three miles of track to do, it will take some time. General Works: The work of renewing the cattle stops on the section from Wairio to Tinkers has been completed, and the beams and sills being now of Australian hardwood, they should require no further attention for a number of years. The centre pier of the water opening an Valli’s Flat has been strengthened and carried to gravel foundation and should be a permanent work. The hand railings and stops are being overhauled and renewed when required and are being well painted. The fences between Wairio and Ohai have been re-strained and repaired, and the whole will be in good order in the course of a few days. Traffic Manager’s Report. The following report was presented by Mr R. Donnelly (traffic manager) : The mines connected with the board's line are closing down after work on Tuesday, the 23rd inst., and will reopen on Monday, January 5. The formation work on which a number of casual hands are engaged is about completed and in discussing the matter with the engineer, he stated that he had no further work offering and the services of the men therefore will have to be dispensed with. The business transacted in committee was confirmed. The general manager’s, engineer’s and traffic manager’s reports were read and adopted.