SMALLER OUTPUT OF OHAI COAL

Southland Times, Issue 23437, 18 February 1938, Page 14

SMALLER OUTPUT OF OHAI COAL

REPORT TO RAILWAY BOARD COMPARISON WITH LAST YEAR “There has been since last meeting of the board a consistent decrease in the output of coal from the mines when compared with the same weeks of last year,” stated the general manager (Mr A. W. Rodger) in his report to the annual meeting of the Ohai Railway Board. “This is no doubt attributable to the very great contrast in the weather during these two periods. The aggregate decrease in the quantity of coal hauled during the expired portion of the financial year, when compared with the same period in 1936-37, is 11,194 tons. “I travelled to Wellington on January 14 and interviewed the officers of the Local Government Loans Board about the renewal of authority to borrow by way of overdraft a sum not exceeding £12,000. The board’s position was fully explained, particularly the circumstances making it necessary to have the sanction renewed for the full period of five years. The formal application has since been forwarded to the Loans Board and it is expected that a reply will be received before the end of the month.” There were present: Messrs L. S. Edmond (chairman), W. Excell, G. Tinker, W. Crawford, D. D. McDonald and E. Davis. The retiring chairman, Mr L. S. Edmond, thanked the members for their support and co-operation during his term as chairman of the board. He mentioned the services of the chief executive officer, Mr A. W. Rodger, and other members of the staff. Mr W. Excell was elected chairman for the ensuing term. Mr Rodger thanked Mr Edmond for his remarks. The report of the traffic manager (Mr R. Donnelly) stated:— “The permanent way gang is weeding the line on the extension and cleaning out the cuttings on the length, but the work is interrupted by the dry spell. The gang’s services are frequently required in maintaining the water services for the locomotives and in dealing with grass fires along the line.

“A painter is engaged in repainting the Leyland service and brake van and carrying out necessary repair work on the carriages.” It was decided that repairs to the overhead bridge on the Ohai-Nightcaps road should be carried out as soon as the Government bridge gang was available.