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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 1, Issue 4 (August 24, 1926)

The Big Idea

page 44

The Big Idea

Conference Supersedes Correspondence. Progress in Efficiency and Team Work.

Conferences of all District Officers in the North Island were held during the third week of July.

On the 20th of that month the Conference of District Traffic Managers was opened. Mr. E. Casey, Acting Divisional Superintendent, presided, and there were also present Messrs. J. Rickerby and B. R. Sword, Auckland; J. Cameron, Wellington; H. A. Penn, Ohakune; and P. H. Hartland, Acting District Traffic Manager, Wanganui.

The operations for the previous quarter were reviewed with a view to making further improvements in train running and transport work generally. A comprehensive agenda paper was discussed including, among other matters, improvements in the working timetable, the reduction in the number of special trains, the matters of booking office organisation and the checking and collection of tickets. A new system for supervision of tablet stations was considered and the method of compilation of statistical returns was also discussed.

At a joint Conference of District Traffic Managers, District Engineers and the Locomotive Engineer matters jointly affecting all Branches were considered, and it was decided that a fixed weekly Conference should be held between District Officers in each centre with a view to discussing outstanding matters affecting the various Branches, arranging for joint inspection and reports, and generally securing uniformity and prompt efficiency in dealing with the Department's business.

The District Engineers' Conference commenced on July 22nd and, in addition to the Divisional Superintendent, was attended by Messrs. J. K. Lowe, Auckland; C. T. Jeffreys, Wellington; W. R. B. Bagge, Ohakune; and H. W. Beasley, Wanganui.

A lengthy agenda paper dealing with improvements to track calculated to effect economy in maintenance, the economical use of work trains, the re-arrangement of gang lengths with a view to securing economy while maintaining a good standard of efficiency, and the elimination of unnecessary level crossings received consideration.

Opportunity was also afforded to the visiting engineers to inspect the new works under construction in Auckland, and general surprise was expressed both at their magnitude and the progress made to date.

At the conclusion of the Conference the engineers had the pleasure of meeting Mr. D. T. McIntosh, late District Engineer, under whom the Divisional Superintendent and all the District Engineers present at the Conference had served for a considerable number of years.

General appreciation of the good effect of periodical Conferences was expressed by all the officers who attended, and the result must be not only an increase of efficiency in the separate branches, but better team work and a better understanding between the various officers of the Department.

In compiling a souvenir booklet in connection with the Farmers' excursion train on its recent run through the King Country, we were greatly aided by the information supplied through the medium of a questionnaire sent to those in charge of stations throughout that district. Some members had taken great trouble to supply accurate information, and most of the reports indicated that the staff have a very through knowledge of the farming position in their immediate neighbourhood. The report of the caretaker (Mr. W. F. Marten) at Ngaroto was one of the best, whilst among the tablet station reports, those from Te Kawa, Porootarao, Okahukura, Manunui, and Kakahi were particularly interesting. The covering reports from station-masters were very helpful, those from Mataroa and Utiku being especially lucid.

* * *

Remarkable evidence of the durability of the heavy rails used in the Lyttelton tunnel was supplied when the Department recently renewed a section of about 25 chains near the Lyttelton end. The type used is the same as that in the Otira tunnel, 100lb. rails, which are the heaviest on any section of line in the South Island. In both instances the traffic is exceptionally heavy. The rails which were replaced were laid in 1907, yet, when they were lifted, it was found that they had suffered a great deal more from corrosion than from wear.

page 45

Promotions Recorded during June

Traffic and Stores Branches.

Stationmasters:

White, J., to Grade 4, Addington.

Carter, E. W. E., to Relieving Officer, Grade 4, Dunedin.

Engineers and Draftsmen:

Mackersey, C. A., to Assistant Engineer, Grade 4, Signals, Wellington.

Bargh, A. J., to Draftsman, Grade 6, C.M.E.O., Wellington.

Foremen:

Lee, M., to Goods Foreman, Grade 5, Palmerston North.

McTigue, T., to Coaching Foreman, Grade 5, Dunedin.

Hodgson, J., to Ticket Inspector, Grade 6, Wellington.

Signalmen:

McDonald, J., to Grade 2, Summit.

Locomotive Branch.

Firemen:

Bishell, I., to Enginedriver, Taumarunui.

Cleaner:

Hannam, W. N., to Storeman, Grade 1, Greymouth.

Lifters to Train Examiners:

Baker, E. J., to Grade 1, Christchurch.

Mayes, J. C., to Grade 1, Whangarei.

Iron Machinist:

Gjersen, E. W. H., Grade 1, to Special Grade, Petone.

Price, C., Grade 1, to Special Grade, Petone.

Carlyle, O. T., Grade 1, to Special Grade, Petone.

Maintenance Branch.

Leading Painters:

Farrant, A. E., to Foreman, Grade 6, Architectural Branch.

Fitters:

Robson, F. G., to Draftsman, Grade 7, Wellington.

Skilled Labourers:

Gosling, H., to Striker, Dunedin.

Electric Linesmen:

Munro, J. R., Special Grade to Electric Lines Inspector, Grade 6, Whangarei.

Darroch, R., Grade 1, to Special Grade, Christchurch.

Line Erectors:

Fahey, G. N., to Electric Lineman, Grade 2, Masterton.

Signal Erectors:

Sedgely, F., (Leading Hand), to Electric Lineman, Grade 1, Christchurch.

Labourers:

Elliott, E. W., to Bridgeman, Kaiwarra.

Surfaceman:

Doidge, W. H., to Ganger, Belgrove.

The Right Spirit.

Surfaceman J. McNicol of Dannevirke, who, after a protracted period of sickness, was last month retired from the Service as medically unfit is evidently actuated by the right spirit. In writing to the Railway Board to thank them for their kind consideration, his wife states: “Although retired, there are many ways in which we can assist to further the interests of your Department, and we will endeavour always to do our best.”

A function of a very pleasant nature took place on 2nd July at the Johnsonville Hall to mark the departure on transfer of the popular Stationmaster, Mr. D. G. Law to Pukekohe. Mr. C. Watson, who presided over the gathering, spoke of the high esteem in which Mr. Law was held by the local staff and by the residents of the district—a tribute which was eloquently endorsed by Mr. Touhy and other speakers. During the course of the evening the departing guest was made the recipient of a pair of entree dishes. In a particularly appropriate speech he expressed thanks for the kind words spoken on his behalf, and for the gift, which would always remind him of his stay at Johnsonville, and the many kind friends who had gathered that night to wish him well in his new sphere.

The Administration invites ideas likely to effect economies or improvements in any phase of Railway operations.

To the keen, observant employee, methods for improving the service sometimes suggest themselves in the course of the day's work.

Your suggestion or invention may be valuable both to yourself and to the Department. Do not hesitate to send it along to the Secretary, Suggestions and Inventions Committee, Head Office, Railway Department, Wellington.

Note—Although the suggestions and inventions listed have not all been adopted, the enterprise of the members concerned is greatly appreciated.