RAILWAY MATTERS

Hokitika Guardian, 6 November 1924, Page 1

RAILWAY MATTERS

Toe special committee oT the Chamlfor of Commerce and Progress League conferred with the Railway Commercial Agent and the District Traffic Manager yesterday, ’flic reduction of tlie time occupied from Greymoulh on Saturdays of Hie through service train by half an hour was practically assured; special excursion fares for small parlies to apply over the whole system will probably be shortly instituted: it was shown that the delay and heavy landing charges at Greymoulh on goods ex ship was due to the tangled lip way in which cargo is landed from 1 tile steamers and an assurance given that if the steamers would undertake to discharge till the Hokitika cargo together it could lie done direct into waggons, so obviating delay and reducing expense. Notes were taken of the desire for a competitive rale against the sea freight for further investigation hut it was pointed out that flic farmers request for a further reduction on the present very low rale for fodder on the ground that the trucks were coming to the Coast empty was based on a misapprehension since trucks to lie loaded at say Rangiorn would have to lie sent to there specially from Christchurch, and at this end after discharge at Hokitika, they would have to lie sent empty to the Collieries. A concise list of freights of sundry farmers requirements—Wire, Benzine, Fodder, etc.. —will be compiled ill the Railway Office and supplied to the Farmers’ Union so that its members can lie advisd exactly what the railage will he to Hokitika. The officers displayed an anxiety to meet all reasonaide requests and invite free communication from any having complaints or suggestions. An effort is being made by flip Department to detail ten insulated waggons for tin 1 transport of dairy , produce on tlie Coast.