RAILWAY AFFAIRS.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 August 1923, Page 2

RAILWAY AFFAIRS.

CONFERENCE WITH TRAFFIC MANAGER.

Tliero was ft representative gathering of citizens at tho Town Hall yes torday afternoon, about 50 being present, to meet Mr Morgan, District Traffic Manager, and discuss matters affecting the railway time-table and .«** other aspects of generol interest. Tho Mayor (Mr G. A. Perry) presided. There was a general discussion in which Messrs R. F. Perham, W. 11. Shannon,D. J. Evans, A. B. King, W. D. Mackay, W. Jeffries and others took part. Mr Porhant made a general reference to the present arrangements, pointing out the necessity of the wants of the district reviving more attention than they were doing at the present time and voicing tho general dissatisfaction of the public at the want of consideration shown. ~

Mr W. H. Shannon made a special complaint of tho action of the ment in making it necessary to change trains nt Greymouth by passengers overland to and from Hokitika, and gave an instance where much inconvenience was caused a passenger by the want of care on the part of officials of the Department. He protested against the want of consideration shown. It made them think that tho Department does not. care for the requirements of the public.

In answer toMr Evans, Mr Morgan stated that he had been to Ross nnd had discussed the time-table. The Ross people wore satisfied with tho change and were willing to give it a trial.

Mr Evans voiced the dissatisfaction ot the delay of the overland trains at Grevmouth.

In reply to a further question 'Mr Morgan stated that the present arrangements were purely temporary and there would probably lx? an adjustment when the alterations were completed at Hokitika. Mr Evans said they had been assured by tho General Malinger when asking for the closing of Stafford Street and other requests that these privileges would give added standing room nnd enable Hokitika to be utilised as tho terminus. That was promised and they expected that promise io be carried out. The community had agitated for the completion of the Midland Railway and they expected improvements in the service and would not put up with the present position. Reference was also made to the great delays in. the trains between Hokitika and Greymouth. They asked for relief from these vexatious delays and he thought they were fully entitled to them. If they did not get redress it meant the encouragement of motor traffic that would seriously affect- the takings of the railways. Mr R. Wild mentioned a personal experience of the delays on the train. Mr Morgan (Railway Manager) said the recent- happenings were no criterion of what may happen in the future There were some delays owing to tho two Departments handling the trains This meant at least a quarter of an hour each day. Mr Wild asked if it were not possiblo to cut out some of the stops. He pressed for a more modified mixed train. Mr Evans asked why it was necessary to change at Grey. Could they not have at least two carriages for the through service. Mr Armstrong (a member of the 'Canterbury Progress League Executive) pointed out the great personal inconvenience he had in shifting front one train to another at Greymouth which was a difficult matter for elderly

people. Mr Jeffries asked whether the terminus was Greymouth or Hokitika. He pointed out that 15 years ago the train from Greymouth was taking fire minutes less than they were now under the new time-table.

Mr Morgan said he was pleased to see such a large number present and hear any complaints. The aim of tho Department was to do the best for the- . travelling public. Tt was difficult to J adjust, the service. Whether it will he the proper thing to do in the future remains to he seen. The traffic would not warrant more than one passenger t rain.

Mr A. King said the business would never warrant more if the requirements of the travelling public were not attended to. In answer to a query Mr Morgan said Greymoulh is Hie terminus of the express service. Mr Jeffries said if that were so the people had been grossly misled. We were led to believe that Hokitika was to bo the terminus of the East and West Coast service. They had been badly misled. Dr Teiehelmann then moved a vote of thanks to Mr Cameron for Ills attendance for his attendance.—Seconded by Mr Duff find carried. The Conference then terminated. •