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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 1, Issue 8 (January 15, 1927)

Canterbury District Notes

page 44

Canterbury District Notes

Fire Brigade.

The Canterbury Provincial Fire Brigades Association's demonstration drew a large crowd to Victoria Park, Waimate, on Labour Day, 1926. Beautifully fine weather favoured the event. Firemen from all parts of Canterbury competed. The Addington Railway firemen proved the champion team on the ground, winning all events except one, in which they came second. They won the cup for the hose, hydrant, and union event for the second time in succession, and it now becomes their property. In addition they won the Shield for the highest aggregate points for the sixth time in succession. The trophies were presented by the Mayor of Waimate, Mr. G. Dash, who complimented the winners on the excellence of their performance during the day.

Addington Workshops Team Winners Fire Brigade Competition, Waimate, 1926 Back Row: Firemen B. Morris, R. Mayne. Middle Row: Lieut, H. W. Dallison, Fireman E. Cummings. Capt. C. D. Boyd. In Front: Fireman F. Barnett.

Addington Workshops Team
Winners Fire Brigade Competition, Waimate, 1926
Back Row: Firemen B. Morris, R. Mayne.
Middle Row: Lieut, H. W. Dallison, Fireman E. Cummings.
Capt. C. D. Boyd. In Front: Fireman F. Barnett.

Each man most keenly and unerringly detects in others the vice with which he is most familiar himself.

Social Notes.

The Railway Board has kindly granted to the-Christchurch Railway staff the use of the telegraph training school for meetings and social gatherings. Mr. R. S. Kent, Divisional Superintendent, and Mr. J. McNair, District Engineer, have to be sincerely thanked by the staff for the interest they have taken in having the room renovated and made suitable for these purposes. A circulating library has been inaugurated, and it is very pleasing to be able to state that the Christchurch staff have one of the finest libraries for its size to be found in the district. Thursday, 27th October saw the opening of our social evenings in the new room, the members of the R.O.I. Committee holding, that evening, a cuchre tournament. Although the weather was unfavourable the ladies and gentlemen present spent a very successful evening. It is the intention to hold weekly gatherings for the purpose of creating a more social atmosphere in all branches of the service.

* * *

Items of General Interest:

Great enthusiasm was shown in Christchurch in connection with the recent Beauty Contest. Our selection, although a lady of tender years, took a lot of beating by our sister cities. “Miss Otago” and “Miss Canterbury” received a great reception in this city. Both of these beauties, accompanied by their maids of honour, appeared on the balcony of the United Service Hotel, Cathedral Square, and received a wonderful ovation. In the evening they were escorted to the Railway Station by the Woolston Band, and there received a great send off. Under instructions from Mr. H. C. Guiness, Chief Traffic Clerk, the railway station was suitably decorated for the occasion.

* * *

Christchurch Railwaymen's Economic Class.

Mr. E. S. Kent (Divisional Superintendent) gave an interesting lecture on the subject of Surveying—Methods and Problems. The lecturer must have taken a lot of trouble in preparing the numerous diagrams with which the lecture was illustrated. These were accompanied by a most interesting and lucid explanation of the methods of surveying railway yardsr rail track, viaducts, bridges, tunnels, etc., and a demonstration of the working of the various instruments and tools connected with the profession. The members derived much information which was greatly appreciated.

page 45

On September 27th, 1926, Mr. H. Chapman. District Traffic Manager, Christchurch, dealt with “Transport.” The speaker opened with a short dissertation on “Value,” showing how transport entered into the value of almost every commodity. Passing to the history of the development of transport, it was shown how all progress, including art, science, and even religion, developed on the basis of transport. Britain's early predominance as a mercantile nation was a result of her accessibility to the sea. In order to provide the transport needs of the railways a large proportion of the workers are employed producing goods for railway use. This part of the lecture terminated with some stories illustrating the romance of transport and an explanation of the difficulties of the early supporters of the railway.

Tariff.—The idea that the railways should charge what the traffic will bear is fundamentally wrong—morally, economically and socially. We should aim at providing the cheapest possible service. For instance, if it were possible to provide very cheap transport, the poorest family in Christchurch could obtain plenty of firewood instead of letting it waste, as at present, on the West Coast. To provide the best service and cheapest transport five objects must be kept in view:—

(1) Use the maximum powered engines to the fullest possible extent.

(2) Carry full loads both ways—at least constantly endeavour to achieve that desirable state of affairs. (Surplus of power and rolling stock means idle capital on which interest and depreciation must be paid.)

(3) Maximum turnover of rolling stock. On account of the seasonal nature of cur traffic we are handicapped in this direction, but, in the grain and stock seasons, much can be accomplished by making adequate arrangements with consignors and consignees.

(4) The recognition that shunting adds greatly to the cost of transport. “Every kick costs money.”

(5) Keep the staff as fully employed as possible.

We have the facilities and must exert every effort to get the traffic in order to make the best use of these facilities.

Motors.—The place of motor transport is not yet defined, but will be sooner or later. Motors co-operating with the railways are a most valuable adjunct. In an age of specialisation, we can no longer expect the farmer to bring his goods to the railway. His job is to produce goods, ours to supply transport for those goods.

Personal Touch.—Mr. Chapman dwelt on the value of the “personal tcuch” and at the close of the lecture was kept very busy answering questions. The lecturer received a very hearty vote of thanks for his interesting and instructive address.

From the proceeds of a fancy dress dance held on October 22nd, 1926, the Springfield staff were able to forward the sum of £11 0s. 7d. to the Christchurch Unemployment Fund.

* * *

The annual cricket match, Christchurch Loco. v. Springfield, which is to take place shortly, is being looked forward to with much interest. The Springfield team are getting in some useful work.

Middleton Marshalling Yards And Addington Re-Arrangement.

Work in connection with the above is proceeding satisfactorily. For the past few weeks the men engaged on the plate-laying have been on the Addington re-arrangement works, which allows for the access to the new marshalling yards. In order to carry out the work it was necessary to commence operations at 5 a.m. on a recent Sunday. The men were engaged till 7 p.m. and the whole change over (including signal and interlocking arrangements) was effected in one day.

At Middleton a “Marion” steam shovel is working in the ballast pit. This shovel was formerly used at Otira with the new works following the construction of the tunnel. Lifting three-quarters of a yard at a time, and working in a very line ballast pit it is a decided money saving device in the ballasting of the yard. The ballast is being loaded into “Mb” wagons, fitted with drop sides and ends. A plough worked by a steam winch rapidly discharges the ballast to both sides of the track, leaving it handy for lifting and packing.

An engine pit is nearing completion, whilst one 1,000 gallon vat is already erected. With the early erection of a signal cabin and a staff accommodation building, the yard will take very definite shape.

Got It Straight.

A camper purchased some eggs at a grocery store and found one a little “off.” Returning to the store he told the grocer that the eggs were a little “ripe.”

“How do you know?” asked the grocer.

“A little bird told me,” replied the camper.