MACHINERY REPLACEMENT

Chronicle (Levin), 19 August 1947, Page 4

MACHINERY REPLACEMENT

COUNTY COUNCIL'S PROBLEM At the' monthly meeting of the Horowhenua County Council on Friday, Cr. D. K. Guy asked for- a definite statement from the actingengineer, Mr. W. H. Fraser, in regard to the state of the machinery on hand, In reply, Mr. Fraser said that the position at the present time was very bad. "During the war years repiacement of equipment was impossible. Apart from trucks, no other machinery^ was procurable. j Graders are at the present time ina very bad condition, and the Gov- 1 ernment has not only restricted the importation of new units, but also the importation of spare parts," said Mr. Fraser. Spares had to be improvised, and in his opinion the work 'done by the graders during the recent years was amazing in view of the difficulties in procuring spare parts. "A new grader has been on order for two years," said Mr. Fraser. "There are plenty of graders in America; but they have as yet no engines." It 'was hoped to receive some new plant early in September, he added. The chairman, Mr. A. G. Gimblett, said that at the recent Counties' Confererice in Christchurch, which he attended, the general feeling was that every council was in the same position. Ari unfortunate feeling was that the Government was taking the pick of all machinery coming into the country, and also that the Government had the say in the type of machinery being imported.