RAILWAY IMPROVEMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2226, 25 June 1908, Page 2

RAILWAY IMPROVEMENTS.

MORE TRUCKS TO BE SUPPLIED,

SIDINGS iFOli THE WHARF

Mr. T. Iton-aync’, 'General Manager of Railways, ami Mr. Burnett, Chief Engineer for Railways, arrived ill Gisborne by the Wuikaro yesterday to go over the railway line as far as W-aikoliu, ami to inspect the wharf so as to prepare plans for continuing the lino as far as the crane near the bridge, so as to provide Tor the erecting of sidings for handing coal, timber, and merchandise. Both gentlomon wont up as far as Willows Grossing in tho morning train, and after seeing tho now section of lino expressed tlieinselvos as pleased with the work (lone. ■

Speaking to a “Timos” reporter, Mr. .Ronayne .said ho intended to send 12 now -trucks to Gisborne in time for the wool season, which, number he thought would meet all requirements. He did not intend to increase the number) of locomotives at present in use, or to replace them with more powerful ones; but if .it was shown that extra haulage power was needed, it would be supplied.

Questioned about the ability of the present stock to handle the Borough’s shingle requirements ,the General Manager declared they were able to carry all the shingle required. The Department had recently leased the Borough a portion of its sliinglo pit at Kaitaratahi, and was quite prop a red-to undertake the traffic. If it. could not be coped with by tile ordinary trtiins, specials would he run without extra charge, there being plenty of time in the 24 hours to run these. A special delivery siding was to be put in at tho Gisborne station..

Mr. Townley (Chairman 1 of the East Coast .Railway League) met Mr. Ronayne' and Mr. ißuruett at tho Harbor" Board office during the afternoon, and discussed railway matters with them. Mr. Townley impressed upon . the visitors the necessity of pushing on the railway line t 0 Rakauroa, and Mr. llonayno expressed tho opinion that the promise given by Sir Joseph War'd l to hasten the completion of tho lino to the timber country would bo faithfully kept. . Mr. llonayno said ho saw the advantage of tapping the timber country, as rapidly as possible. .He did not think there was any need at present for a new locor motive, but it was intended to supplement the -supply of trucks. iMr. Ronayne then asked Mr. Townley, ,as Chairman -of the Harbor Board, if it would be possible to have the wharf opposite the Turanganui Hotel strengthened so as to be able to carry , a train, and the Railway Department would 1 place a siding and rails on the wharf so that goods could bo landed or unloaded dircet from the trucks. The Department was prepared to place up-to-date sidings on the spot; but was not. allowed by regulation to spend money on the wharf, mild had to come .to the Harbor Board with a request. Mr. Townley promised to place the question before the Board at the next meeting, and said ho thought the members would bo willing to meet the Railway Department in every possible way. -Mr. Ronayne and Mr. Burnett left for Wellington by the Mokoia in the evening. .