GOODS HAULAGE

Timaru Herald, Volume CLIII, Issue 22490, 27 January 1943, Page 3

GOODS HAULAGE

Return To Traction Engines Discussion By Waimate County Council “It will not matter to us. We have had traction engine haulage on our roads before. The bitumen highways are the concern of the Main Highways Board,” said Cr. H. B. S. Johnstone at a meeting of the Waimate County Council, when a suggestion by the Commissioner of Transport that a return to traction engine haulage of farm produce might be necessary to conserve tyres was placed before the meeting in a letter from Mr F. D. Grant, Highways Board representative on the District Highways Council. The views of controlling authorities on the probable effect of such form of transport upon roads and bridges were requested.

The chairman (Mr J. Bitchener 1 said it was not likely anything would be done for some time. The engineer (Mr W. P. Black) said the Council should see that the traction engine by-laws again operated in the event of traction haulage being resumed. Cr. Johnstone said that under that safeguard the Council would be in the same position as formerly. If the war continued there might be no tyres for the trailers. Cr. H. J. Stowell said many tractor trailers would be available. In reply to a question, the chairman said traction engines would not be allowed to go through the Waimate Gorge. It would not be necessary, as the haulage would be to the nearest railhead. It was decided to reply on these lines. The chairman said that the considerable decrease in heavy traffic on county roads owing to the reduction in transport of sheep by lorry was good for the Council, though perhaps inconvenient to farmers. The finance statement read by Cr. R. Sinclair showed that there was a debit balance of £14,655, compared with a debit of £21,213/7/6 in January. 1942. Accounts presented totalled £1786/7/6. Receipts amounted to £5739/4/6. In his report, the County Engineer iMr W. P. Black) said two badly decayed stringers had been replaced in the Canning ton bridge. Growths were being removed from bridges as a precaution against fire. Side tracks had been formed for the temporary bridge at Scott’s, the design for which had been finalised and the steel work bent to shape in the County yard. The decking of Pidgeon’s bridge, Otaio riding, would have to be renewed at an early date. Upper Waitaki Bridges “The Public Works Department is at present engaged making the concrete blocks to supplement the protection of the island between the Upper Waitaki bridges,” Mr Black concluded. “The District Engineer, Mr F. D. Grant, has forwarded to me records of flood damage sustained at these bridges since the opening for traffic on April 1, 1885. These records form an illuminating document which shows that since the bridge was taken over by the Main Highways Board about 14 years ago the damage to the bridge itself has not in general been so severe as was the case while the bridge was under the control of the Railways Department. It is of interest to note that about the year 1888 the bridge on our side of the river was lengthened by one lift span and seven 40ft spans at the Kurow end.” Mr Black added that there must have been considerable change in the river in the first three years after the bridge was opened for traffic. The documents showed that on some occasions tnree spans at a time had been lost. A letter was received from the Minister of Civil Defence (the Hon. D. Wilson) acknowledging receipt of an outline of the Council’s Emergency Scheme.

“I have studied this with great interest and must congratulate your committee on the enthusiasm and care which have obviously been devoted to drawing up the organisation.” the Minister wrote. “It is noted that provision has been made in some districts to remove or destroy stock in front of an enemy’s advance. The Government, however decided, after considering all aspects, that under conditions of invasion stock should not be moved or destroyed. I have asked the editor of the Civil Defence Bulletin to consider publishing any extracts from your instructions which might be helpful to Emergency Precautions Services in other countries.” The chairman (Mr J. Bitchener) said he thought the letter reflected great credit upon the County Clerk (Mr L. J. Collins), who, it might be said, was looked upon by the Government almost as an authority on the scheme. He said be thought it was wonderful to have such recognition from the Minister, who extended congratulations upon the practicability of the organisation. “I am delighted that our clerk has been accepted as an authority,” Mr Bitchener concluded. Cr. Johnstone said it was all the more commendable when it was considered that many contradictory instructions had been received. A resolution was carried fixing a 10 per cent penalty on all rates unpaid after March 1. 1943. Saturday was declared the day for the statutory weekly half-holiday in the Waimate County. The sum of £2/2/- was voted to the Waimate R.S.A. for expenditure on the annual picnic to be given the children of ex-servicemen and men serving in the present war.