OLD RAILWAY PILES CAUSING TROUBLE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18442, 18 April 1928, Page 10

OLD RAILWAY PILES CAUSING TROUBLE.

BROKE PADDLE-WHEEL SHAFT ON RIVER BOAT. “ The only way to make the Railway Department remove the old piles at the Opawa railway bridge is to make a claim on them for damage to our steamer—or, rather, weed-cutter. I move to that effect,” said Mr A. T. Smith, at the meeting of the Drainage Board last night, when complaint was made that the paddle-wheel of the weed cutter had struck a submerged pile at the bridge, and had broken a level gear wheel on the paddle-wheel shaft. “ We should claim also for loss of the men’s time.” That the piles collected rubbish in ♦he river, and were a menace to boat-

ing, was a statement by Mr C. Hill. He said that the piles, about twelve in number, had belonged to the old railway bridge. The engineer: I have made repeated application to the Department for removal of the piles. The chairman (Mr H. J. Otley) said that the board could claim only for repairs? as there was no chance of being compensated for any loss of time. Tn any case, the men had not been delayed. The motion, which was carried, was that the board make a claim on the Department for repairs, and that the Department be requested to remove the piles before any further damage was done.