THE KAITARATAHI CRANE

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2549, 9 July 1909, Page 4

THE KAITARATAHI CRANE

A VISIT OF INSPECTION.

Yesterday morning a number of the Borough Councillors went out- to Kaitaratalii on an official visit of inspection of the locomotive crane, which met with an accident- on Wednesday morning, and was tipped into the gravel pit. The party which went out by the morning train comprised Crs. Pettie, Collins, Clayton. Smith, and Darton. They inspected the locomotive, which is at present lying in the same position into which it fell. It was ascertained from the engineer’s examination that there is some doubt still existing as to .whether the main travelling shaft of the machine did not break ana cause the accident. However, the want of a brake was thought to have contributed in a minor degree to the accident, although the presence of a brake, had the shaft broken, could hardly have prevented the mishap. The brake, it- is understood, lias been manufactured; and it was the intention of those in charge to have had it fitted to the machine in a day or two. The opinion was expressed by Councillors that the accident was one of pure misadventure, .not <lye to faulty linqs or carelessness on the part of any of the Council’s employees. At the present time- the locomotive continues to lie in » favorable position, as the flood waters have not risen to any appreciable extent. The intention is to put some sleepers down, and run a- temporary line in under the wheels, and then to endeavor to haul the locomotive on to the line by means of heavy traction. The work of placing the locomotive on the rails again is, according to what was ascertained yesterday, expected to be completed bv to-morrow night, after which it will be necessary for an exhaustive examination of the mechanism to be made. It was decided by the Council to have a re-casting made of the coupling of the arm which was broken off. and also that no further * work shbuld be undertaken until a brake has been fitted, and the whole line put in thorough going repair. Prior to returning, the Councillors visited the hoppers, and considered tho advisability of obtaining and erecting a movable screen for the purpose of getting screened gravel, as the present screen is not suitable for the purposes for which it was intended. This work would probably require the acquisition of a six horse-power engine, and other accessories. The Borough Overseer was instructed by the visiting Councillors to up a-report to the meeting after next of the Council on the following headings: (1) The necessary machinery required in connection with a shaking sieve; (2) the nature and mode of erection of such a crane; and (3) the cost of grave] landed, as at present with silt in it, and the cost of gravel screened. It was tho unanimous opinion of the Councillors present that such gravel as could not- be screened should be utilised for the by-streets, whereas nothing but screened gravel should he put on the roads when pitched with AYaihirere spawls. General regret was expressed at the accident to the locomotive, which, although unavoidable, has at least temporarily deprived the borough of the long-looked-for source of supply of river shingle. Tho Overseer and Mr. Davys, engineer, have been instructed by the Council to attend to and carry out all the necessary details in connection with the work of getting tho crane on the rails, and the Councillors, by their promptaction yesterday, have,' in all probabilitv, saved the ratepayers from the loss of a very considerable amount of money.