(Contributed)

It is only in the event of a serious emergency arising that the ability, initiative and loyalty of the Railwayman is displayed to the fullest extent. Accidents arising from slips, floods, derailments, etc., involving a complete dislocation of traffic extending over a considerable period are fortunately not of frequent occurrence, but when such occasions do arise one cannot help feeling proud of the spirit of loyal cooperation manifested by both officers and men. The writer during a comparatively long experience extending all over the Dominion, has never known an instance where the men did not give their best to help the Department in times of emergency.

A recent and notable example of this spirit was displayed in December last in connection with the wreck of Bridge No. 1 on the Ngahere-Blackball Line.

On December 4th heavy floods in the Grey River washed out piers 17 and 19 of this bridge with the result that four eighty-feet truss spans, or a total of 320 feet length of bridging, was completely wrecked.

The position was accentuated by the fact that the bridge in question was the sole means of access to the busy mining centres of Blackball and Roa, and in addition to the stoppage of work in the mines entailing financial hardship on the workers, the flooded state of the Grey River formed an effectual bar against the carriage of passengers or even provisions to the marooned inhabitants.

The engineers immediately commenced to organise the work of restoring through traffic and it was decided to temporarily rebuild the structure in sixteen twenty-feet timber spans.

The piles to be driven were 44 in number and varied from 50 to 60 feet in length. It was originally proposed to use blue gum piles in the temporary piers but the extremely hard nature of the driving made it necessary to use ironbark throughout.

Valuable assistance in the supply of bridge materials, piles, etc., was rendered by the Grey-mouth Harbour Board, in fact all the local bodies volunteered any assistance they could possibly render.

Owing to the flooded state of the river and the delay necessary for construction of a special pile driving gantry and the collection of material, it was not possible to commence the actual rebuilding until the 10th December. The work was then carried on continuously by day and night, Sundays and holidays included, with three shifts of eight hours each and extra gangs working on the dismantling of the old bridge and preparation of material during the day.

The bridge was completed on January 1st and trains commenced running on January 2nd, four weeks from the day of the washout and three weeks from the date of driving of the first pile.

The work reflected great credit on all concerned, and having regard to the flooded state of the river and the general conditions under which the work was carried out it constitutes a record in railroad bridge building for this Dominion.

The special thanks and appreciation of the Hon. the Minister and the Railway Board were conveyed to all those associated in the work of rebuilding the bridge.

Praise From Australians.

Mr. Angus Martin, spokesman for a party of four Australian tourists, has this to say about the Dominion:—

“We have been in New Zealand for a week. Your roads and railways are a great improvement on cur own. Your public servants are most obliging and your people most friendly and courteous.”