THE RAILWAY "CUT"

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 268, 8 August 1919, Page 8

THE RAILWAY "CUT"

MASTERTON COMMITTEE APPOINTED

TO SUPERINTEND CARRIAGE OF GOODS By Telegraph-Special Correspondent. Masterton, August 7. With tho object of .selecting a committee to co-operate with Mr. Francis Holmes, of Wellington, in superintending the carriage of essential goods between Wellington and Masterton, a meeting of business men was held here today under the auspices of the. Chamber of Commerce. Those present were: Messrs. J. Cusclberg (cjininnan), J. C. Cooper, B-. Brown, Alex. Young, D. A. Pickering, D. Ogilvy, J. C. Ewuigton, (i. li, Sykos, M.P., ,C. E. Daniell, U. H. Perry. T. Evans,'R. H. Hill, J. Henderson, J. Kitchener, A. T. Spain, T. Permain, W. J. Row. If. J. Kins, A. D. Low. F. Smith, J. Allan, F. Evans, H. H. Donald, P. C. Whitton, H. E. Pither, C. M'Couchie, T. F. Watson, D. Gaselnerg, G. C. Sninmerell, and J.' Pomeroy. 'After detailing the objects of the meeting,' Mr. Caselberg said that Francis Holmes had agreed to act as their representative on the Wellington committee which had been appointed to regulate the goods traffic. Tho object of the proposed committee would be to- ascertain local requirements, and see that each business man got his fair shave of Mr. Daniell asked if any idea could bfe (given of how long the. railway difficulty was joins; to Inst. Ho understood that Mr. Sykos had some information on the subject from Mr. M'Villy. Mr. Svkes said that he had a lone interview with Mr. M'Villy last week. The I railway manager placed all figures at I his disposal, and he was satisfied that I the statements and figures placed before the public by Mr. M'Villy from time to | time were nbsolutelv correct. LastThurs- ! dav the reserves of coal available for railway purposes were only 8000 ton?. He repeated that the coal shortage was a eenuine and critical one as far as the railways were concerned. During the war it was almost impossible to obtain coal from Australia, and the epidemic and strike? in Australia kid made tlio position more acute. They could see, as intelligent men, that there ruist be a. great shortage. Mr. Sykes said that lio had appealed on behalf of the dairy farmers of this district that cement' should lie carried, and Mr. M'Villy had promised that cement would be placed on the list of foods to l>e dealt with first He was satisfied that Mr. M'Villy was doing his very best in the present very distressing circumstances. He m • ©leased to see that tho public were willing to co-opera to with the General Manager in helping with tho carriage of most essential goods. The Rimutaka incline bogey was handicapping them now more thjin in ordinary times, and the present position only showed the absolute necf sfity of doing «way with the Rimutaka incline. No hope was held ont by Mr. (M'Villy that, the present restrictions ; could he lightened for at least two or three months. Mr. G. C. Summerell pointed out that information as to (lie number of trains travelling to the Wairarapa and their carrying capacity should he available to tho meeting, otherwise they were working in the dark. Jf they had the available tonnage it could be divided-up on a pro rata basis among the towns and districts of the Wairarapa. Mr. 11. Brown said the authorities in Wellington only knew from day to day what trains could be run, with tho fuel available. : Mr. J." C. Cooper: Surely the Department knows what coal it has, and how 1 many trains it can run. j Mr. C. E. Daniell said a small conu mittee could be appointed to get information and forward it on to the Masterton representative, who should be sent to Wellington to act. for the )Vairarana in conjunction with Mr. Holmes. Tho district was indebted to Mr. Cooper for his challenge to the Railway Department by offerng it coal to run its trains. He proposed that a committee representing the different interests be Appointed. The committer he would, propose would be: Messrs. J. C. Cooper. Alex Young, T. Evans, C. E. Daniell, J. C. Ewington. J. Caselberg, and R. J. King. The committee could meet every morning and deal with applications to have necessary goods carried, and dccido on a recommendation for preference. If a man wanted goods urgently he could placo his claims before the committee. The committee, as suggested by Mr. Daniell. was nominated and clected. On the motion of Mr. H. H. Donald, seconded by Mr. J. Henderson, it was resolved, that it be a recommendation to the committee that percentage levy on freights on goods carried should be made. On the motion of Mr. Daniell, seconded bv Mr. Summerell, it was resolved to ask for the co-operation of the towns in South Wairarapa. To avoid empty trucks leaving Masterton it was dccided that the committee deal with the matter of outward freights onlv,

At a meeting of the committee held' afterwards it was resolved that all applications for milage space lie handed in to the secretary of the committee by 10 a.m. each day; that, applications be in writi«lj and in duplicate; and that the committee meet every day at 10.30 to deal with the applications.