DIRECT STOCK TRAIN DEPUTATION TO STATIONMASTER TE PUKE SUGGESTION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 94, 28 July 1944, Page 2

DIRECT STOCK TRAIN DEPUTATION TO STATIONMASTER TE PUKE SUGGESTION

A very representative deputation comprising all the stock firms and interested farmers from the Te Puke district waited upon the Te Puke Stationmaster,. Mir A. O. Brooks, soliciting the institution of' a straight through stock train running from Taneatua direct to the freezing works three days a week' during the months of December. January and February.

The Stationmaster was able to show, however, that the' question had two sides, giving illuminating figures showing how many trucks were available to this area and li«\v well the Transport Department had distributed them in particularly trying times.

The stock agent representatives stated that they were acting in the interests, of the farmers in this matter. Under the present system stock was loaded at district stations and was hauled away by routine trans. The loaded trucks might then be shunted off the train and left standing at any intermediate stations, usually Tauranga or Fran'kton. and not reach the works until perhaps a day later. More frequently stock was loaded to the Te. Puke 4 o'clock,

remained at Tauranga overnight, and arrived at the works too late for the current day's killing. The loss in weight per animal during that period was a serious loss to the farmer's pocket, but the more serious loss was to the country's production figures.

From figures available it was possible to arrive at what might be considered very conservative figures, an overall Te Puke loss of 70, OOOlbs on sheep, or bordering on £5000 translated into currency. The following resolution was passed:—

"That this representative meeting j strongly recommends to the Railways Department that a straight through stock service, be inaugurated on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays during the months of December, January and February from Taneatua to the Freezing Works, and that a committee comprising one representative from each Te Puke stock firm, togetheir with Mr M. G. Gruieksliank representing the farmers, be appointed to forward the resolution with a comprehensive report attached."

included in the report would be a request for a responsible railway official to visit the various yards in the district and meet representatives with a view to bettering the general stock facilities.