KAITARATAHI CRANE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2494, 6 May 1909, Page 4

KAITARATAHI CRANE.

OVERTURNED IN THE SHINGLE. A “Times” reporter yesterday went out to Kaitaratahi to have a look at. the shingle deposits and the new cran t >. that has been placed there by tlie Borough Council. Through an accidentwlrich occurred on Tuesday while the crane was being tested, the whole of the machinery was found scattered over the shingle beds within about 50 feeiof the stream, and the base, of the crane was lying on its side, some feet away from the rails. The Borough Overseer (Mr. M. Morgan) with half a. dozen men were trying their utmost to “jack” and pull the base by means of ropes back into position on the rails. The boiler had been taken to pieces, and the arm and grab were, lying some distance away unhurt. A gentleman who was- prosept, and who has had considerable experience of such machinery, ventured the opinion, that the rails laid down were far too light to carry the crane, even when clamped on. “The trolley wheels on the base,” he said, “ore far too wide for the narrow rails, and consequently have no ‘grip,’ and when the crane is unclamped there will always be a risk of it turning over on its side.” “Further,” the speaker said; “should one of the dogTiaite in the sleepers giye away, the loaded crane would capsize and bring the rails with it when the base was held by the clamp. As to’ liow far the crane would fulfil expectations, in pushing the loaded trucks up the incline to the hoppers lias yet to be seen, but should the machine ever leave the narrow* rails it would roll down the bank of the incline and probably be ruined. The vanner, or grating through which tlie shingle is to be dressed at •the hoppers, is also of primitive type, and will be likely to allow an unnecessary large quantity of fiver saiul being carried to the roads with each batch of shingle.” During the progress of the meeting of the Borough Council last- eveninga telephone message was received from Messrs Chambers and Son’s representative at Kaitaratahi, stating that the locomotive and grab would be on the rails again to-day.