The Globe. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1877.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1046, 1 November 1877, Page 2

The Globe. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1877.

It is satisfactory to notice that the Legislature has been carefully considering the best means to he adopted with regard to the grain traffic on our railways. Last season not only great inconvenience but pecuniary loss resulted to the farming and mercantile portion of the community, from the inadequacy of the arrangements for overtaking the traffic. In order to devise some means of avoiding a repetition of this undesirable state of things next seasou, a Select Committee of the Legislative Council was appointed, to whom the whole matter was referred. A great quantity of evidence was taken, and the report was presented a few days back. It contained some very practical and business-like suggestions, which, if acted upon, will at any rate to a great extent prevent the wide-spread dissatisfaction felt last year. The principal cause of delay, as revealed by the evidence, is that which has been urged upon the Government time after time both by the local journals and the mercantile community. AYe allude to the scarcity of trucks. The committee suggest that the number of trucks should at once be considerably augmented, as if this is not done without delay the evils already complained of will exist in even greater force. Not only do they recommend a large augmentation in the number of trucks immediately, but also that as the production of grain increases so shall the

rolling stock be added to. This, as we have pointed out in previous articles, is the root of the matter. Given rapid means of transit from the country to the sheds, and large facilities for loading vessels at the wharves, and no cause for complaint will of can arise. The first of these will be supplied by means of an increase in the number of trucks, as suggested by the committee. The second, viz., the provision of extensive shed accommodation, so as to relieve the country stations and prevent damage by wet weather, is met by the proposal of the committee with respect to giving increased facilities for the erection of private sheds. In order to do this it is proposed that more liberal terms shall be granted by the Government for the erection of sheds and construction of sidings. It is further recommended that facilities should be afforded for the erection of largely increased shed accommodation at the stations in Christchurch and Lyttelton. This, it seems to us, is a very good way of getting over the difficulty, more especially if the accommodation at the shipping port be largely increased. The transit from the shed to the ship would be then but a short one, and vessels could be loaded with great dispatch. There would then be no detention waiting for trains from Christchurch to arrive; the grain could be taken from the sheds as fast as it could be stored, and a number of vessels could be laden at one time without any intermission. It would also relieve the traffic on the line to Christchurch, which, while the grain is stored only largely in Christchurch and at some of the more important country stations, is likely to become almost unmanageable. The suggestion made by the committee for the erection of raised platforms at stations where shed room is limited is one worthy of consideration. It will be necessary, however, that these shall only be looked upon as temporary expedients, and that they be cleared prior to the shed. This is so on account of the risk of damage, although of course covered with tarpaulin, and secured as far as possible, yet there is still an element of risk which should not be allowed to exist longer than is absolutely necessary. We have now touched upon the principal points in the report, which appears to be a very carefully considered document. The suggestions contained in it have been arrived at after taking the evidence of those engaged both in the working of the line and the forwarding of grain. They are therefore entitled to, and will no doubt receive, serious consideration at the hands of the Government. The question is an urgent and pressing one. Every year sees large additions to the extent of our grain growing area, and as a matter of course this means increased carrying for our railways. There is therefore no time to be lost, and we hope that prompt action will be taken by the Government to carry into effect the recommendations made in the report we have referred to. If this is done we may look forward to next season without the fear of having a repetition of the injury and inconvenience which was so prominent during the last.