WAIRARAPA TRAINS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1147, 7 June 1911, Page 7

WAIRARAPA TRAINS.

NOT RIGHT. YET. BEQUEST FOR FIJETHEK ' FACILITIES. A deputation consisting of Xlr. A. W. Hogg, iM.l'., and Messrs. J-'. C. Turnor (Eketahunn), V. W. H. Kumincr (Mnurice(villo), and (J. C. Jackson (Kopuarnnga) interviewed the Minister for Railways (the Hon. J. A. Millar) yesterday, regarding an afternoon passenger tram for the Bush districts, north-of Masterton, . •' Tho Request Outlined. Mr. Hogg explained thnt the recent alterations in tho Wairarapa time-tablw had given a great deal of satisfaction. The early trains starting from Woodville, and from" Mnsterton, respectively, iverc of the greatest convenience. What they noir wanted iras a slight rearrangement of the afternoon goods train running north from Mnsterton to enable it to leave Masterton at 4 p.m. with a passenger car attached. This would enable settlers visiting Masl'erton from tho north to,get home without a dreary waste of time- in Masterton, and it would also bo of great advantage to children from Eketahuna, Mauriceville, etc., attending the District High School at' Mastercoii. It; would,' further,- enable a convenient connection with Dfumovirks .nnd Palmerston North.The Minister's Concession. The Minister said'ho-was pleased to hear the expression of satisfaction the recent alterations in the "Waircrapa' timetable, in view of tho fact that it had been described T)y Mr. Buchanan, M.P.,' as the most iniquitous time-tablo -in existence. Thnt was an expression from tho South Wairarapa and. now they hnd tho feeling of the/northern..district stated. The position, continued the Minister, was that the Government hnd had a very big struggle to get the 'railways on to the right side of the ledger , . Things were right now, and in view of this he would' bo quite prepared to , consider impr.ovdnicnts in' the services; because, as he had said at Dunedin, the Government had no desire to make revenue out of the railway to put into the Consolidated Fund. So long as the railways were, paying interest, he van quite -satisfied. This year they wei-e fortunate enough to have a profit/0f..£110,000, and this he proposed to- share 'partly with tho employees and partly in giving increased facilities to the public. ■ In the case under-notice, if the train were one which ran continuous-ly-all the year-round, a carriage could be put on, but unfortunately it was taken off for four months in tho year. Ihe train had been stopped about last April because there was--nothing for it to do. It would mean about £TSOO to make -it a schedule train. Ho would put a car m a'gobds fra'in running north from Masterton for a month, and see how it would pnyi'7 It-must be borne in mind that there would b? no. revenue obtainable from f-chool children; it would depend upon, the number of settlers using Hie train as to. whether it would pay. Ho would not mind- a small loss, because in the. summer, months the deficiency would W made- good, perhans. It would leave Masterton not later than 4 p.m.. and run to "Woodville. There was hardlv a station on the TVnirarapa line,-added the ''Minister, with the exception of Masterton and Pnhiatun, which produced a passenger revenue of £500 a year. A stationmasfer's silnry was '£230 a year, and; there.was also interest, to. pay. on Ms nouw'; and with"other small expenses, tho nosßiqn- in regard to each station could A member of tho deputation:' What asvmt"tli« goods? ■ The Minister: The goods-.traffic -is fair-. ly food, but you are nsVin<r now for a passenger train. ■ -The -Minister, in condiirion, agreed.to give the.-.trial lie had suggested. . ■•>-. ' ' -.-■■.--■