PUBLISHED ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS. The Times. TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 1920. CRANE WANTED.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 494, 6 January 1920, Page 2

PUBLISHED ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS.

The Times. TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 1920. CRANE WANTED.

"We notluna extenuate, nor ut down auaht fa maliee."

EFFORTS have been made for some considerable time past, notably by the Pukekohe Chamber of Commerce, to induce the Railway Department to provide a crane of substantial lifting capacity at the Pukekohe Station, but so far, without success. The department cannot reasonably be expected to grant every request made of it. Some people ask for things which they would rather do without if they had to help foot the bill directly, and the Railway authorities cannot be blamed for turning down propositions that the business does not warrant. But there is ample proof that a crane of at leatff five tons lifting capacity is required at Pukekohe, the present implement being of merely one ton capacity. For example, a few days ago a case containing a machine weighing 25cwt reached the station, consigned to a Pukekohe firm. The machine was of such a delicate n&U a that it to pieces without the aid of skilled mechanics of a trade not existing in the district. Such a course would have meant considerable txpense, and the firm, perforce, had to provide suitable gear to unload with. This is only one instance, and as the town is rapidly growing and its industrial concerns expanding, the need of adequate unloading facilities will become more and more apparent. If the borough was not so obviously growing, the Department might well be excused for holding back, but seeing that rapid and substantial development is morally certain to come, the balance of argument is certainly in favour of the business men and farmers who have long been agitating for a suitable crane. Since this gear must come in time, the sooner it is here the sooner the residents of the district will have the use of it, and so avoid further wasteful delays and expensive handling. We trust that the local bodies, business men, farmers, and carriers will agitate anew on'this matter, and keep on making logical representions to the Minister, for Railways and the Department, until an instrument of sufficient lifting power is provided.