Deputation to the Minister of Public Works

Feilding Star, Volume VIII, Issue 74, 23 December 1886, Page 2

Deputation to the Minister of Public Works

The Hon. Mr Richardson, Minister for Public Works, arrived at Feilding station in a Special, this afternoon. He was met by the Mayor and other members of the deputation. The Mayor read the following address : — To the Honorable the Ministeb of Public Works. The object of the deputation from the Feilding Borough Council now waiting upon you, is to point out the inconvenience to the residents of Feilding and the surrounding district of the train service between Palmerston North and Halcombe, which hasbeen in force on the Wanganui section of the New Zealand Railways since Ist of December, and with reference thereto, we beg to submit the follow* ing facts and observations for your consideration : — 1. By the train service which was m existence before the Ist December (and which may be called " the bldl service") trains calling at all station* between Palmerston and Halcombe arrived at Feilding daily— viz., from the south at 7.25 a.m. and 6.30 p.m., with an additional service from Palmerston on Saturdays arriving at Feilding as a terminus at 10.40 a.m. ; and from the north at 11.5 a.m. and 7.50 p.m., with an additional service from Feilding on Thursdays at 3 p.m. arriving at Palmerston at 3.45, thus giving two daily trains each way calling at all stations, besides the extratrains on Thursdays and Saturday* above referred to. 2. By the new service there is only one daily tram each way calling.at all stations between Palmerston and Halcombe which arrives at Feilding from the south at 7.45---a.m., and from the north at 7.58 p.m. There is an additional service by which, trains call at all stations between Palmerston and Halcombe on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays onty, arriving at Feilding from the south at 6.30 p.m., and from the north at 12.15 p.m., and there is a daily train (the new mail train) between Paluierand Halcombe (not calling at the intermediate stations) arriving at Feilding frvm the south at 12.15 p.m., and from the uorth at 4.45 p.m. 3. No special inconvenience was felt when the old service was in force, and its resumption would be satisfactory. Although it may be submitted that greater facilities than have hitherto existed for daily communication to aud from Feilding with all stations between Pal hi erston and Halcoinba would considerably benefit our town and district. 4. As there is a considerable traffic, both with passengers and goods between Feilding and Wangamii, the withdrawal of the daily train leaving Feilding at 6.30 p.m. for Wanganui has been ielt as a great inconvenience. 5. By the present service — except cm Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays— it is impossible to travel by railway between Feilding and Palinersfcon aud the intermediate stations, aud back the same day, which entails great inconvenience aud loss of time to the inhabitants. 6. It may also be pointed out that groat isconveuience and loss is suffered by the tradespeople of this town receivinggoods from Wellington via steamer to> Foxton, inasmuch as — except on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays— all good* for- Feildiug arriving at Koxton must either remain a night there oviu Palmerston before they can be forwarded to Feilding. Dated this 23iil flay of December, 1886. Signed on behalf of the Deputation, consisting of the Mayor, und Councillors J. 0. Thompson, J. Bartholomew, and G. W. Fowles. Samuel Goodbehere, Mayor. At the meeting of the Borough Council appointing the above deputation, it wasunanimously considered that the present station accommodation at Feilding was greatly inadequate to the requirements of the service. As an argument in favor of increased station accommodation at Feilding, tnefollowing facts as to> the revenue and expenditure at the station as compared with, others may be pointed out : — Bkvbnub at — Inward : Veildtng Palmerston Halcombe 5704 7 6 5600 1 » 4253 9 4 Outward : 8687 0 2 6499 6 0 9276 10 1 £14391 7 8 £12099 7 5 £13529 19 5. Expenditure at — Feilding Palmerston Halcombe 420 19 2 745 310 293 2 7 Net receipts-: £13970 8 6 £11355 3 1 £13236 16 10 The deputation are* also desirous of pointing out the great want of lights, especially in the winter season outside theshed. In reply Mr Richardson said he had heard the comments on every part of the In, and in view of the general dissatisfaction the timetable would be so revised as to meet as far as possible the convenience of the people-on this part of the linev Mr Richardson inspected the station building , but was unable to promise- any iinprovniuiits just at present. However, he promised to put up » lamp facing; Fergusson street. Mr J. Bartholomew pointed out the-in-convenience his firm was put to front want of proper siding aceomodation. at the Feildfng station. The District Manager was understood io say some- improvement was already ' contemplated. MrMacarthttr, MHR., was also present with the deputation, and Wok an active part in disccussing the> s©jcw^ questions. The deputation then withdrew w& %» "special" departed.