OHAI RAILWAY BOARD

Southland Times, Issue 21480, 24 August 1931, Page 12

OHAI RAILWAY BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. (From Our Correspondent.) The monthly meeting of the Ohai Railway Board was held on Wednesday at Wairio, when the following members were present: Messrs W. Crawford (chairman), J. B. Birtles, D. D. Macdonald, E. Davis, L. S. Edmond, G. S. Edie and W. J. A. McGregor. The general and traffic managers were also in attendance. The resignation of Mr W. Crawford as chairman was received, and before vacating the chair Mr Crawford thanked the members and staff for their co-operation and assistance during his term of office. He had enjoyed it, and appreciated the help given him by the members and the general and traffic managers. Mr G. S. Edie was appointed to the office, and on taking the chair trusted they would get on as well as in the past. He had struck a bad year, but with the support of the members they would weather the storm. General Manager’s Report. The general manager, Mr A. W. Rodger, presented the following report:—The de crease in the output of coal for the five weeks since the date of my last report represents 4397 tons, an average of 879 tons per week. The aggregate reduction for the 20 weeks since April 1 is 13,578 tons as compared with the corresponding period of 1930. On July 21 a conference of coal owners and coal merchants at which the writer was present was held to consider the position. At that meeting the detailed returns referred to in my last report as to the output and its destination since April 1, as compared with similar figures for last year were submitted as well as such other figures and information that the board could supply in order that the matter could be fully investigated. The discussion was very complete and the conclusion arrived at w r as that the decrease in demand was wholly due to the existing general depression and shortage of money. Further, that the only means of alleviating the position was an all round reduction in costs of production so that the prices to the consumer would be less and such as to make it as economical to use Ohai coals as those fuels which are cheaper but of lower grade, but which have been in greatly increased use during the period of stringency. As a preliminary step it was resolved that a deputation should wait upon the Government Railway Board with a view of obtaining a reduction in the railway freights and to discuss other matters affecting the marketing of the coal. A letter was immediately addressed to the General Manager of Railways requesting that his board might receive such a deputation and a reply has been received that circumstances would prevent this being granted until some date in September at the earliest. In view of this reply, I understand it is the intention to convene a further meeting of thee interested parties. I may add that at the meeting held on the 21st ult. I made it abundantly clear that it was not possible for the board to reduce its haulage rate for coal, but on the con frary it might find itself in the position of having to revert to the 2/6 per ton rate if the output continued to decline. Traffic Manager’s Report. Mr R. Donnelly submitted the following report: A shelter shed has been placed at the end of the platform at Richmond street crossing for use of passengers. Three pinions in Wilson’s reverse gear box, fitted to the Leyland engine, were badly damaged on the 7th inst. through a loose ball in the box fouling the pinions and breaking off several teeth which in turn set up further trouble when they were later caught between the engaging pinions. Fortunately, the sturdy construction of the gear box and ample proportions of the shafts and bearings confined the damage to the pinions, otherwise the gear box would have been cracked. The damaged pinions have been sent away for renewal or repairs and are expected to arrive at Wairio to-morrow. The Ford coach and steam service are taking up the running of the Leyland service in the meantime. The gang has been employed since last board meeting in track maintenance be tween Wairio and Ohai and resleepering on No. 1 section. Unfavourable weather has interfered with the work of resleepering and also demanded more attention to track maintenance. A further subsidence has taken place on the extension at 9m. 54ch. The rails and sleepers were swinging about three feet from the built- up supports and sleepers have been pigstyed to carry the weight of the track. Attention has been given to the water tables and drains on the extension.

The report was adopted. Mr McGregor brought up the matter of a catchment drain to take the water away where the subsidence was taking place on the extension at 9miles 54 chains, and it was resolved that members of the board and the general and traffic managers inspect with power to act.