RAILWAY SYSTEM

Hokitika Guardian, 17 December 1924, Page 4

RAILWAY SYSTEM

o i USE OF DOMIXION COAL. j WKS'ITOR.T, December 10. | .Mr C’. S. Jieilbv, on behalf of the Duller I’rogrcss League, writes:— | l’ennit me space for our fiiitrl reply to Mr McArley’s attempt. to prove 1 1 is statement that we were trying to mislead the public with regard to the work done on our section of the railway with W.IL class engines and "Westport unscreened coal. In refuting the statement made at our last ordinary meeting. Air McArley distinctly stated the misleading factor was in our not stating “the loads were hauled down hill, and consequently' brake and not steam power was required, so unscreened coal is satisfactory."' -Now we set out the actual facts as they exist, and in fining so enlighten the public, who might be interested in the matter and are not familiar with the conditions on this section, ami. incidentally, enlighteu-.Mr McArley. Ilis effort to prove our statement misleading, thereon “went b.v the board.’’ for lie. not we. misled the public by stating the loads were hauled down bill as above quoted. He still tries to argue on the schedule load: we talk of the actual load, evidently forgetting in practically all branches of mechanical engineering the machinery is being constantly called on to exceed the schedule load. The designers of all machinery worthy of the name make provision for this, hence il the power is available the machine may salely stand this overloading. Hi this ease Westport coal answers to the extra demand for power. I refer you to the T’ritish Admiralty for conlirmalion of this, and W.li.’s hauled as they are by efficient footplate men. have been exceeding the schedule load ever since they have been on this section. I challenged Air McArley to show us how be got a down grade from sea level to sea level. This arose from bis .statement already quoted. Had he been able to do so he would have exploded the universal law of water finding its own level. However, he coldly admits these loads are hauled uphill as per niv statement (very misleading) and then tells ns 'they take the down grade.’’ Does Air AfeArlev realise ho has contradicted his statement accusing ns of misleading the public ? A\ *' lca\e readers to draw their own eonelusioiis. ' reminding our friend of the fact of a down grade from any altitude to sea level is obvious to all. All other questions made by Mr AfeArlev are answered in niv previous letters, it lie will take the trouble to read them carefully and not misread and misquote them. Regarding Afr AfeArley’s challenge: there is only one gentleman in New i Zealand who is in a position to Dsuo this challenge, and we are doubtful if vour correspondent ever will fill that position. I’ntil be does bis challenge must only be accepted as pure “bluff" tendered bv a defeated side. A challenge which will interest tin* public generally to a far greater extent is the one we now oiler to Air McArley. viz., come down to Westport and see the work done by our engines, and the method of tiring adopted, for therein lies the secret, of success of Westport, coal, and if he can prove we misled the public, your readers will take him seriously, knowing lie speaks from actual observation and knowledge; hut if he cnmint then, if called upon to do so. he will accompany a deputation from this League to the Alini.stcr of Railways, to advocate the more extensive use of Westport coal on the system. AVe are quite aware of the excellence of our loco, men throughout New Zealand and realise our men lienare draw n from sections, throughout the Dominion.' Let thank you. on 1.-lcill' nl' imr l.eague. for granting space to prove we have not been misleading the public. We are a nonpolitical body out for the progress of the whole Dominion, and we still leave it open to Mr AlcArley to answer the finest ion be bus persistently evaded. «pp l, r. to point nut to us one other section of the system getting llm work out of the engines that is being done on this section? In conclusion we also thank ATr Me Alley for the splendid “boost" he has unwillingly given "Westport coal.