ELECTRIC TRAINS TO DISCONTINUE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19176, 16 September 1930, Page 7

ELECTRIC TRAINS TO DISCONTINUE.

STEAM ENGINES WILL RUN TO HEATHCOTE. Strong criticism of the action of the Railway Department in continuing to run electric trains on the Lyttelton line, when steam power was available, was voiced at the conference of electric power authorities to-day. Just before the conference rose, however, word was received that the running of electric trains between Christchurch and Heathcote would be discontinued in favour of steam trains. The District Electrical Engineer (Mr R. G. Mac Gibbon) stated that it worried him exceedingly to note that, while the public were nobly economising and depriving themselves of light and heat, a Government department was still using electricit)". The speaker stated that a telegram had been sent to the Minister of Railways (the Hon W. A. Veitch), stressing the necessity for the use of steam. No reply had been received up to that time. Mr S. H. Webb (Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association) criticised what he described as the apathy of the City Council in not taking measures immediately the seriousness of the Lake Coleridge question became known. There was apathy also on the part of the Railway Department, and a strong-ly-worded resolution should be passed by the meeting. The question was dropped for a time, and during that space Mr MacGibbon left the conference, and was in touch with the Minister of Railways. “J. move that an urgent wire be sent to the Minister of Railways, asking that the electric locomotives on the Lyttelton line be replaced b) r steam engines,” said Dr Thacker. “Just a minute,” said the chairman. “Mr Mac Gibbon has an announcement to make on this subject.” Mr Mac Gibbon: I got a message from the Minister of Railways on this subject, and it was not favourable. Then 1 got a ’phone ring, and over the ’phone I put the position very clearly to him. He pointed out that the Railway Department, apart from mot discontinuing the electric trains, hes done all the economising in its power, as much as any power board. They have cut out all the power possible without sacking men. I pointed out to him that there was a very bad psychological effect in having the electric trains running when steam is available. The result was that the electric trains will now be discontinued as far as Heathcote. They will be still run through the tunnel. The damage to overhead gear which would result if the steam trains went through the tunnel would be considerable. CONFERENCE DOES NOT BLAME DEPARTMENT. The following motion did not find a seconder when it was moved by Mr J. M. Fraser (Rangiora Borough Council) at the conference of electric power authorities to-day:— “That this meeting regrets that the Public Works Department did not draw public attention to the fact that the load on Lake Coleridge was becoming greater than the capacity of the plant; and this meeting of supply authorities would like the assurance of the Minister of Public Works that losses incurred by supply authorities through the present shortage of power will be borne by the Public Works Department.” The mover of the motion said that the Department was “due for a stirup.” Supply authorities were faced with the question of reducing the annual charges for power contracts. DENIES THAT OAMARU WAS BLAZE OF LIGHT. Mr .T. M. Forrester, chairman of the Waitaki Electric Power Board, writes as follows to the Editor of the "Star”: “Dear Sir, —I fee! that it is my duty to absolutely contradict the stupid statement that Oamaru was a blaze of light on Saturday evening. At the outset of the trouble, we took prompt steps to moderate the consumption in our area and the Borough Council willingly fell into. line. Last Saturday evening, only ten street lights were in use, all others being absolutely disconnected; the ten were necessary in the. interests of public safety. Let me also say that although our water and oil generating sets are almost continuously developing 400 kilowatts, we do not look for license to do more public lighting than our fellows in misfortune.”