THE MIDLAND LINE.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 May 1924, Page 4

THE MIDLAND LINE.

IS IT A PAYING ONE. CHRISTCHURCH, May 20. There was a general discussion by the Canterbury District Railway Committee yesterday on matters relating to railway business on the Midland line. The subject was opened by a question from Mr AY. Stringlcman as to whether there linjl been any decision on the proposal to revise the rates to Grey mouth.

T|ic secretary of the committee (Mr p. R. Climie) said this still remained in abeyance. Tt appeared that traffic on the line was well up to expectations, although that no figures had been given. The chairman (Air H. Holland); There wore some, but they did not convey anything to me. It averages about 1000 tons a day, which includes rolling stock.

Air 11. Chapman (district traffic manager) said that it was difficult to say whether the line was paying, as the Public Works Department stili controlled the tunnel. The statement that Air Holland-, mentioned was received in order that engine power could be provided; it showed whether traffic was increasing or decreasing. To get out a statement as to the actual traffic was a work of some magnitude, which was not warranted.

Climie said that ip regard to the traffic from the AYest Coast to Canterbury the line would get its full share, hut the committee was not satisfied really as to whether the Department was in a position to get Canter-bury-West Coast traffic on account of steamer competition at more attractive rates.

The chairman: On certain lines. Mr Climie said it was in view of the fact" that the Department had more trucks coming from the West Coast that the committee thought a truckage allowance might be offered on Christ-eluireli-Wcst Coast traffic. Tbc difficulty was largely a political cum, but lie thought the question might be taken up with the llailway Commission.

Air Chapman: Alv opinion is that traffic to the Coast is increasing. Air Climie: Are you sure it is not going through Lyttelton ! Mr Chapman: T should think there is very little if any. The chairman: Have you any figures. Air Chapman said that the figilies would have to he taken out specially. At the .suggestion ol Air C limie, All Chapman said he would secure a return. CiBEYArOI'TH-IIOKITTKA TRAIN. Representations have, been made n> the Railway Department by the C.’.nterhur.T District Railway Committee with the object of securing a reduction in the 'delay at Grey mouth between the arrival of the through passenger train from Christchurch and the departure of the Hokitika train. The district Traffic .Manager at Christchurch (Air 11. Chapman) has icp.iied that, after careful trial, it had been found that the 'wait of twentyfive minutes at Greymoiith was required for the station work whirii hail to l>o done. When the letter was received at yesterday’s meeting of the committee the chairman (Mr 11. Holland) expressed surprise at the time necessary- remarking that all the work done in connection with the Invercargill express at ( hristcliurch was done in ten minutes. Air Chapman said that the Invercargill express was jnnely a. passenger train. The AYest Coast train became a mixed train when it left Greymoiith and its composition bail to lie altered.

It was decided to write to the Genera! Manager asking for furtlier invesfiga tiun. to ascertain if an improvement could not lie effected. SHORTAGE OF TRUCKS.

The Greymoiith-Hokitika Saw millers Guild forwarded a < ony of a letter sent to the General Manager of .Pailways with reference to the shortage of trucks to convey timber. Air ( hapnian said there were tiocasioitr.l i uxlies, when waggons- were short.

flu Mr Chapman's .suggestion, it was decided to ask fej- none s; et-ilie instances. ft was ileeideil to lei-orif the com-, mil tee's appreciation of the dcjaitlliei.L's action in reding up the Springfield train. On the Motion of Mr Climie. it v.as decided to congratulate the Government on its decision to set up a eommission of inquiry into the business of the Railway Department. The mover suggested that when the commission >::U in Chrisleliur.'i, the committee should biing bel'nie them quite a number of proposals for improvements, which had been endorsed by tlie lommiUeil, but which were still awaiting i un.xiderntion.