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The Wealth Of The West
Busy Time on the Coast

The following interesting particulars regarding the clearance of coal congestion after repairs had been effected to the Blackball Bridge which was damaged by floods recently have been forwarded by Mr. T. A. Harwood, Stationmaster at Stillwater:—A start was made at 6 a.m. on the 27th November to work empty wagons to Roa for loading to Canterbury district. The task of landing over 3,000 tons (gross tonnage) at Stillwater by Sunday night was accomplished without hitch or accident of any kind, the last load arriving at 5.45 p.m. Three engines were used to do the job. The Blackball engine worked approximately 250 empties from Blackball to Roa and brought back loaded wagons, whilst one Stillwater engine took empties from Ngahere to Blackball and loads from Blackball to Ngahere. The other Stillwater engine lifted the loads from Ngahere and marshalled them at Stillwater ready for despatch to Otira the following morning.

The feat reflects very creditably on the staff at Blackball, Ngahere, and Stillwater when it is borne in mind that the engine working on Roa incline could take up only 15 wagons and bring back the same number of loads. From Blackball to Ngahere 35 loads only could be worked on each trip, while Stillwater was faced with the problem of marshalling and stowing the 215 wagons of Paparoa coal received in a yard with a holding capacity of just over 300 wagons. In addition to these, room had to be found for 7 engines, 6 cars, 4 vans and 37 other wagons. The work was so well accomplished that by 11.30 a.m. on 29th, all loads were despatched without causing delay to any trains.

“When the Canadian Pacific Railway renders service—on land or at sea—it means that close to 100,000 members of the Canadian Pacific family do their work with courtesy and efficiency so that the safety of the public and property entrusted to their care will receive the very fullest possible consideration.

There can be no greater National Service than this.”—Mr. E. W. Beatty, Chairman and President of the Canadian Pacific Railway.