RAILWAY MATTERS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2000, 6 March 1914, Page 8

RAILWAY MATTERS.

■THE MINISTER VISITS LEVIN, (By Tclcsraih.—Press Association.) Levin, March 5. Tho Minister of. Railways (Hon. W. H. Herries) visited Levin to-day, and received deputations from tho Borough, Council and the Chamber of Commerce regarding railway facilities, tho acquisition from the Government of Foxton wharf, and local matters. In reply,- tho Minister intimated that the new General Manager of Railways was considering the whole question of expediting the'train services on the Main Trunk line, including tho question of having tho Auckland express stop at Levin. Tho question of dangerous level railway ''crossings w'as also being investigated. Tho Minister was not favourably impressed by a suggestion to have gates erected? ■ The general public wero averse to ,this> lie thought, •nit he believed it to bo practicable in some cases to havo electric alarm bells operated at such crossings from tho railway'stations. Respecting Foxton wharf, Mr. Homes thought tho acquisition could bo secured if a spirit of reasonableness was shown. The Railway Department already had fixed its Rolling price, and ho did not think the Department could do as suggested by tho deputation, and accept time payments in liou of cash. Legislation to normit that would bo essential first. He suggested that, with a view to expediting the acquirement of tho wharf from tlie Government, the Harbour Board should first take a poll of the ratepayers, yea ov nay. Failing this, there would be the probability of objections boing raised when the Bill was before Parliament, and a proviso for tliß taking of such a poll added to the Bill. Tho Minister left Levin for Wellingtoa by the New Plymouth express.