A CITY ISOLATED.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1433, 7 May 1912, Page 4

A CITY ISOLATED.

SLOW THAINS AND BAD ROADS. Wellington's need for better rallwaj and road communication with ilia country districts surrounding was discussed by the council of the Wellington Chamber of Oonunerco ycaterdav. Tho chairman (Mr. A. E. Mabin) submitted a report in which ho stated that it ivas evident tho Manawatu lino was overloaded. Increased provision would have to bo made very soon for carrying trathc. Ho suggested that the Government lie urged to have surveys made for 'J 1 " purpose of determining the best pwcticr.h 0 route, if any, far a deviation of the line through iron the west coast to the junction with tho Hutt line. He suggested that (ho Government bo urged to speed up the trains, leaving Wellington at i.lft daily for t'almerstan North, Mmerstrm North for Wellington at i a.m. daily, These tmias occupied respectively .-J hours 50 minutes and 5 .lours l.i minutes 011 the journey. They would bo more issed by passengers if spealed up, Iho chamber should accord its hearty support to the efforts of tho Palmerst'on Aorth Chamber in obtaining increased platform facility and station buildings at l'almerston Aoi-th,

In regard to tho Wairarapa lino, the chamber should accord its support to tho Masterton Chamber in its endeavours to improve tho railway services in tho Wasrarapa, ond join in any deputation from the chamber there to the Minister for Hallways. Tho time had arrived when, in the interest; of tlve city and country, good main roads, thoroughly safe for stock and motor traffic, should exist between Wellington and the Wairarani and Dannevirko districts. The chamber should urge tho local bodies concerned in tho maintenance of the roads over tho Paekakariki ond Hinniiaka Hills (tho Hutt County Council and the Feathorston County Council) to do all in their power to improve these roads, and offer to join with them in any representations that it might be necessary to make to the Government for a grant for the pujposo of making these roads safe for traffic. Tho report was adopted, and tho chairman thereupon moved tho following resolution:— "That in view of the isolation of Wellington city from its country districts and the need for bringing the city and country into closer touch, a committee bo set up to report at once: "3. On the improvement desirable in the railway service to tho Wairarapa, "2. On the improvement desirable in the railway servico to Manawatu. "3. On the suggested deviation of tho Manawatu railway line through' Akataraira Vulley. "i. On the best method of improving the main road highways to tho Manawatu and Wairarapa, so that stock, vehicle, and motor traffic between town and country may be carried on in safety, and on ruadk cmlitablo to the provinco." Ho said ho had Ix>cn prompted lo brins forward tho resolution bocauso ho felt Wellington was suffering unduly by reason of its natural surroundings—more especially the ranges of hills shutting it out from the country from which it dorived its wealth. The country people could not come to Wellington as they' uid to Auckland and the other largo towns. There were no weekly market days here. AH attempts to get up stock sales and agricultural shows here had failed, and 110 attributed all this to the bad train services aiul bad roads to Wellington. Tho motion was carried, aud it was arranged that n deputation from _ tho chamber should wait upon the Minister for Railways regarding- the matters referred to in the motion.