WANGANUI JOTTINGS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1435, 9 May 1912, Page 2

WANGANUI JOTTINGS.

{By Telegraph—Special Correspondent.) Wanganui, May 8. The exports from the port of Wauganui for the quarter ending -March 31, i!) 12, were valued at i24G,0!)7, and the imports for the same period at .£81,589. Tho strikes in the Old Country during the past few months have so delayed arrival of material for the Gonvillo-Cas-tlecliiT tramway that the lino has beon unproductive for several months beyond the tjmo when it was expected thai cars would be running. In consequence (he Tramway Board finds itself under the Necessity of striking a rate to meet the next fix months' interest on its loan. The chairman states, however, that when the next interest, payment is due ho expects the bonni will be able lo pay it out of revenue. The welding process used for connecting rail joints on the Tramway Board's line has proved a i borough success, and though subjected lo heavy wear from the ballast trucks not a siii'glfe defect has been disclosed. Tho same cannot, howover, be said for some of She electrical fittings' imported from America, of which tho board's engineer, Mr. li. Creagh, has a very poor opinion. Reporting on the matter, the engineer says: "1 regret to have to inform you that the feeder switchboard?, whicii have just been unpacked, ore on a par with so mue!i oi' the material that is unfortunately turned out in America. They are of the flimsiest construction possible, many of (he parls carrying current being apparently only sivrated together, and all (ho screw.*, being of sleel, are badly rusted," It was reported that the. engineer had insisted on the material being up to specifications, and that the contracting firm had complied with his demands.