COMPLETION OF TE AROHA TRAMWAY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1758, 11 October 1883, Page 2

COMPLETION OF TE AROHA TRAMWAY .

At the usual monthly meeting of the Piako County Council, held at the council chambers yesterday, the chairman of the Tramway Committee, Mi J. C. Filth, submitted the following report :-— October 10th, 18SS. The committee report :—(1): — (1) That the tramway is now complete with the exception of some sra ill detnils , (2) that the locomotive is finished, and is evperted to be on the first engine grade about the 15th October ; (3) that the various companies .ire on the point of completing their connections with the tramway ; (4) that in order to render the working of the tramway effective and <ronomical, several sharp curves will require to be replaced by short tunnels, which can be donr as soon as funds will allow : 15) that the Tramway Committee record their high appreciation of the a cry valuable services rendered by Mr H. H. Adams as engineer in completing the tramway; (6) that the committee recommends that the charge for csirrjing ([U.irtz from any of the mines to the battery be fixed at 3s Od per truck, each truck having- been ascertained to contain one and a third tons ; (7) that a further and final sum of about £1500 will be required beyond the amounts already passed. J. C. Firth, Chairman T.T.C. Total Cost ok Tbamway. — Approximate statement of the total cobt of the Te Aroha tramway. The sums already paid, roughly calculated, amount to— i. To £15,000, amounts paid. 2. Paid £1000, account rendered and passed, but not yet paid. 3. To complete £1500, estimated cost of account not yet rendered. Total, £17,500.— J. C. Firth, Chairman Tramway Committee. Speaking of the success which has attended the completion of the tramway, Mr Firth took occasion to refer to the practical nature of the service* rendered by Mr H. H. Adams, engineer, in the carrying out of the vast and difficult work. The tramway, they weie all doubtless aware, was one of the' greatest engineering works which had e\er been earned out in the island ; and the excellent way in which everything had been carried on since Mr Adams took over the job, reflected credit on that gentleman. As chairman of the tramway committee, he felt called upon to give his sincere testimony to Mr Adams' services. The council were undei great obligations to Messis F. A. Whitaker, J. B. Whyte, and Capt. Morris, M.H.R., for the very valuable assistance they had rendered to the work. Nor could he pass without notice the loyal conduct displayed by their chairman, Mr J. P. Campbell, in the matter, the energy and perse veiance of Mi H. E. Whitaker, and the unswerving attention of their clerk, Mr Chas. Tuck. He had also to notice the able service* rendered by Mr Grilfillan, junr., as clerk of the works at Waiorongomai. He had very much pleasure in proposing votes of thanks to these gentlemen. The Chairman, in bearing testimony to the skill and energy displayed by Mr Adams, proposed to vote him £100, ii respective of his salary, as a recognition of his services to the council. The council had much pleasure in acceding to the proposition. Mr Campbell, referring to the votes of thanks which had been passed to the various peisons concerned in the work, said it wan to Mr J. C. Firth that the entire credit was due for the success which had attended the completion of the tramway. Had it not been for that gentleman, the tramway would never have been completed. Regarding the most advisable way_ of conducting the tramway when working, the Chan man said the question was whether they should lease the tiamway, or appoint a competent man to supervise it for the council. As for himself, he would be strongly opposed to leasing it for some time. A gie.it expense had been inclined in the purchase of machinery, brake gear, etc., and it was very necessary that these should be properly taken en re of and not knocked about. If they leased the work it was reasonable to think that the lessee would try and make as much out of his lease as p'>-,sihle, and might not caie how he knocked the machinery about. The works would lequiie to be kept in good order and caicfully supervised foi the fiist three months. He would recommend the council to engage the services of Mr H. H. A dims as supci visei . With the permission of the Tramway Company, lie would propose that this be done. Mr Firth, on behalf of the Battery Company, gave his consent to Mr Adams being employed. He agreed with the remarks of Mr Campbell on the matter. A competent man would want about £200 or £300 a-year, but they could have Mr Adams foi £50, as a sort of perquisite, as the Battery Company would continue to pay him his regular salary. The suggestion was adopted. Mr Filth remarked that if the tramway and mines came up to the expectations of the company, they intended erecting another battery, to crush 500 tons weekly. This would then mateiially lower the cost of conveying the quarks by the tiamway to the battery.