OHAI RAILWAY BOARD

Southland Times, Issue 22201, 19 December 1933, Page 15

OHAI RAILWAY BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. (From Our Correspondent.) The monthly meeting of the _ Ohai Railway Board was held at Wairio on Friday, when the following members were present: Messrs G. S. Edie (chairman), D. D. Macdonald, E. Davis, G. Tinker, W. Crawford and W, Excell. The general and traffic managers were also in attendance. Officers’ Reports.

The general manager (Mr A. W. Rodger) reported as follows; Since the date of my last report (November 15) the output of coal has continued to be satisfactory, the records for the past four weeks showing an increase of 6833 tons compared with the same period last year, and 1128 tons compared with the corresponding weeks in 1931. The figures for the period, April 1 to December 9, show an aggregate increase of 23,836 tons compared with last year, but a decrease of 11,966 tons compared with 1931-32.

Buildings: None of the dwellinghouses or the buildings owned by the board have been repainted, papered or repaired since they were built or acquired, and some of the older structures are badly in need of attention. A local painter and paperhanger who was out of employment has been engaged on day wages, the board supplying the material, to do only what is necessary to prevent further deterioration, and make the buildings more respectable in appearance. The paint on some of the newer buildings also requires touching up where the walls are most exposed to the weather, and it is proposed to have this attended to also.

Leyland Service: As reported at last meeting the Leyland locomotive was undergoing overhaul, the original rubber inset wheels being replaced by a set taken from the carriages, which have been discarded by the board. At the same time the opportunity was taken of renewing the driving chain and sprockets, which had become so badly worn as to be almost useless. The result of this work is that the engine is running much more smoothly

and with so little vibration that the ordinary wear and tear must be much less than in the past. Benoni Engine: The board’s Benoni engine is now due for overhaul, and it is proposed to take it off the running immediately after the approaching holidays. The wokr required will, it is estimated, take from three to four weeks to carry out. Embankment Erosion: I am pleased to be able to report that the ice plant slips which were planted in early spring along the papa cuttings to prevent erosion have successfully established themselves. Except in three places where the slips were planted in private ground and were pnprotected, allowing stock to tramp them in and camp on them, practically every slip has taken root and is growing quite vigorously. In the three cases referred to fresh slips will require to be planted and protected by wire netting, as they are the places where the erosion has already been most severe.

The report adopted. The traffic manager (Mr R. Donnelly) submitted the following report: Sheep Yards at Terminus Enlarged: The sheep yard at the terminus was found to be too small last season for holding the consignments of . sheep going forward- Another pen is now under construction, and will be ready for use at the beginning of next year. Permanent Way Gang: The gang is engaged cleaning out the papa rock cuttings throughout the extension as the water tables are filled up with the weathered material that has come down. Attention has been given to the running track where required, and most of the gorse and broom along the line between Wairio and Reed’s has been grubbed out. The report was adopted. The chairman conveyed the season’s greetings to members, managers and staff, this being reciprocated by Mr Excell (members) and Mr A. W. Rodger (staff).