GOODS HANDLING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 May 1938, Page 6

GOODS HANDLING

INADEQUATE FACILITIES IN MASTERTON BETTER CRANE NEEDED AT STATION. VIEWS OF MR G. L. THOMAS. “If the Railways Department hopes to get the goods back to the rail, it must provide up-to-date facilities for handling the traffic,” said Mr G. L. Thomas, secretary of the Wairarapa Licensed Transport Federation today, referring to the appointments at the Masterton Railway Station. “If it wants to cater for public requirements it must wake up to the fact that it must have everything up-to-date at the station. Speaking from the viewpoint of my federation, a crane should be installed capable of lifting four tons and a small shunting unit should also be provided.” Mr Thomas went on to say that about twelve years ago the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, when holding a Ministerial position had himself inspected the crane at the Masterton Station and had said then that it was quite out-of-date. More recently, said Mr Thomas, the Wairarapa Licensed Transport Federation which embraced fifty carriers, had made representations about the matter. On January 10, this year, the federation had written to the Stationmaster at Masterton, stating that the matter required urgent-attention 'and that, although applications had been made on many occasions in the past for the installation of an up-to-date crane in Masterton, nothing had yet been done. It was suggested that the matter should be placed before the right authority and if necessary, a meeting could be arranged to go fully into it. The Stationmaster, in his reply, said Mr Thomas, stated that he had forwarded the application to the District Traffic Manager, Wellington, and pointed out that the matter had been reviewed less than twelve months ‘ ago, when it was found that there was not sufficient traffic to warrant the installation of a crane capable of ■ lifting heavier weights than the present one in use at the station. Later, said- Mr Thomas, the District Traffic Manager replied in similar terms. He added that an examination of the crane revealed that it was rather stiff and heavy to operate and that arrangements were being made to have suitable repairs and adjustments carried out. As a result of these adjustments, the District Traffic Manager trusted the crane would be quite suitable for all requirements.

After the’' repairs had been effected, Mr Thomas observed, the crane was more difficult to handle than it had been previously. Mr Thomas added that perhaps some good would result if a conference were held between the Railways Department and the users of the general facilities of the station. Mr Thomas added that years ago there were no facilities for the handling of wool. As the result of representations he had made on behalf of the Wairarapa Carriers’ Association extensive loading banks had been provided at Masterton and Featherston stations and these had made a tremendous difference in the more expeditious and easier handling of wool and other commodities. The Department, he said, used to have two men. engaged in Masterton in loading operations whereas after the,. loading bank had been erected one was sufficient.