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Friday 28 August 2020
Takaka’s forgotten tramway
The Takaka tram and crew pose by the overhanging limestone bluffs at Paines Ford. Photo: Frederick Tyree ANITA PETERS
Many people are unaware that Takaka once had its own railway, a direct result of the timber industry that developed following the gold rush days. The Takaka valley was rich in kahikatea and tōtara, and during the 1870s seven sawmills began operation, supplying building materials locally as well as to other provincial towns around New Zealand. The small port of Waitapu experienced a burst of timber-shipping business. However, transporting logs to the wharf was arduous, and bullock wagons often became bogged on the muddy tracks. With limited roading funds available, it became obvious that rail would be a more efficient method of transport. In 1881, a successful poll held by the Takaka Roads Board among timber merchants, sawmillers, farmers and other ratepayers led to the formation of the Takaka Tramway Company Ltd. John Rochfort, a former surveyor for Nelson Provincial Council, surveyed the line to run a distance of 13.4km from Waitapu, through Takaka township and out to the crossroads behind East Takaka Church, soon known as the “terminus”.
However, under the provisions of the Government Tramways Act, regulations had to be met. The tram was to travel no faster than eight miles per hour and operate four trips daily. As well as timber, the tram also carried passengers (who paid from threepence to a shilling) and general goods and produce for sixpence a ton upwards. Each sawmiller was to be responsible for maintaining a certain length of line and guaranteeing their loads. Building the railroad employed many men. Local contractors the Manson brothers won the tender to construct the line and bridges. This took around a year to complete and cost £2500. The government provided an additional grant of £2000 plus the iron rails, which were laid on wooden sleepers and had an unusually narrow gauge of two feet six inches. The East Takaka terminus also became a hub of construction boasting an engine shed, workshops, and a siding where logs were loaded. A flour mill, library, post office, church and school were already operating nearby. In June 1882, the brand-new shiny green tram constructed by the Anchor Foundry of Port Nelson finally arrived at Waitapu Wharf. It
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had a 12hp single cylinder locomotive steam engine fuelled by either wood or coal, could haul a load of 100 tons and had a top speed of 20mph. It towed several open-framed timber wagons and a small carriage for up to eight people each side. N a m e d t h e Pi o n e e r , i t w a s s o o n affectionately dubbed “Puffing Billy” or the “Old Coffee Pot”. The first driver, Mr Wilson, would famously leap off the chugging tram to remove obstacles, retrieve passenger’s flyaway hats or spread sand on the tracks on frosty mornings. Near the high school bend, mischievous schoolchildren would try to derail the train by filling the rails with stones. Mr Wilson was powerless to evict them if they jumped aboard the moving train since he was also the stoker, only able to shake his fist and furiously blow the whistle. Another driver, Mr Francis Robertson, made local history for his mercy dash to the wharf with an injured man to catch the Lady Barkly before she left port. There was one serious accident in 1896, luckily without injury, when a bridge near Waitapu gave way under the... Continued on page 8
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Dog Bylaw hearing JO RICHARDS
Wednesday’s hearing on proposed amendments to the Dog Control Bylaw took both in-person and Zoom contributions from the public. The hearing, which took place at Tasman District Council’s Service Centre in Takaka, was run by Golden Bay Community Board, with TDC regulatory manager Adrian Humphries and his assistant Ross Connochie in attendance. A total of 17 submitters presented their respective arguments during their allotted five minutes. Unsurprisingly there was limited common ground with an almost equal split between those for the changes and those against. The legislation was last reviewed in 2014 and is not due a full review until 2024, but in the meantime, the following amendments have been suggested: • Allowing dogs under leash control to come back into Commercial Street, Takaka at all times. • Allowing dogs back onto Tata beach all year round except from sunset until 8.30am every day. The current bylaw prohibits dogs on Commercial Street between 9am and 5pm, while at Tata beach, dogs are banned during the period of New Zealand Daylight Saving Time, and for the remainder of the year from one hour prior to sunrise until one hour after sunrise. Dog control is clearly an emotive subject; in total, 338 acceptable submissions were received, with 178 related to Commercial Street and 160 to Tata beach. O f t he s ub m i s s i ons re l at i ng to Commercial Street, 152 were in favour of the amendment and 26 against. The arguments against the change were generally concerned with public health and safety and the risk of fouling by dogs. Those supporting change mentioned welfare benefits for dogs and economic opportunities for shop owners. In the case of Tata beach, 34 people indicated their opposition to the relaxation of the restrictions, citing the need to protect wildlife, especially little blue penguins and shags, and the potential nuisance of dogs for beach-goers. Many of the submissions in favour of the amendment focused on the benefits to local dog owners and the lack of dog-walking opportunities in the vicinity. The majority of the speakers at the hearing reprised the arguments made through the written submissions. Most of those in favour of maintaining... Continued on page 3
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