The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8,1885. The Railway Station

Feilding Star, Volume VII, Issue 38, 8 September 1885, Page 2

The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1885. The Railway Station

Many months ago we were informed, on authority which at the time was undoubted, that some attention was to be paid to the numerous wants of the Feilding railway station. But, as is usual when the Government of the day is asked to do anything for Feilding in particular or the Manchester Block settlers in general, a calm and studied neglect is observed. Many of our readers, and especially those whose business takes them to the station or post office after dark, will remember that we urged, time after time, the strong need which existed during the winter months for the platform being properly lighted, at least from the time of the arrival of the train from Foxton — 6.30 p.m. — until that of the departure of the train from Wanganui, at say 8 p.m. "We also urged that the approaches from the town to the station should be lighted for the same time. It was in consequence of our repeated allusions to the above that we were taught to hope the evil complained of would be removed, and a few lamps placed in position ; also that certain additions and alterations were about to be made in the station buildings to meet the increasing requirements of the railway trade of the Manchester Block. Summer is now close at hand, and the lengthening days have, in a slight degree, done away with the necessity for extra lighting in the early part of the evening, but on Saturday last a passenger by the Foxton train was tripped up and thrown violently forward on his face by a bundle of tarpaulins which was lying on the platform. He was considerably bruised as well as alarmed by the accident, and complained bitterly of the parsimony of the Government which allowed a crowded platform to remain in darkness merely to save a few pence. Another person came into violent contact with a hand barrow which was placed a few fe-t beyonda bundle of luggage over which ho stumbled, and only saved himself from injury by grasping a bystander. It may be said that these articles should not be left on the platform, but that is impossible. Tarpaulins, parcels, and luggage must be put out on the platform, and left there until the train has been sent away. The time at the disposal of the officials between the arrival and departure of the trains is too limited to allow of their clearing the platform then. It is disgraceful that a station of the importance of Feilding, which contributes more towards th« revenue than any other station on the Foxton-Taranaki line, or in fact than ninety per cent, of all the stations in the colony, should be treated so shabbily as it has been in the past.