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Hokitika Guardian, 28 November 1924, Page 2

IWk are a long suffering community in regard to local train services. The traffic is maintained still at a leisurely pace, olteu defying time-table <on>mitments. And this despite urgent and frequent representations on the matter. There have been many promises to look into the matter, but reforms in the railway service come slowly and I only alter persistent requests. Just . why communities should be put to all ; this trouble and inconvenience, when there is a highly paid staff in the Department to attend to lmtli the traffic and commercial side of the case, wo do not know. Perhaps it is that there is some conflict between the two branches, or a triangular dispute when it comes to headquarters being brought in as a third party to sanction, or otherwise, the final step in any reform. The experiment of a better service even on a trial is denied the community, though it- is manifest there can he no loss to the Department seeing that no extra mileage is involved. The railways have enjoyed a monopoly for so long, that those in authority appear to think the public little worth considering—the railways must he used in the end. The attitude of tile Department seems to be one of a studied negative when local demands seek for improvements, the concession of which would give greater satisfaction to the users of the lino. People who speed over the North Island main trunk lines, and the East Coast connections, and are whisked in due course across the Island by the Midland line, find the experience of the train ride lietween Greyniouth and Hokitika as a penalty unfairly earned. Reaching Greyniouth at -1.1.1 o’clock, and arriving at Hokitika, some three hours later, is a period of endurance for an Auckland traveller for instance, who has made an otherwise fast run through, which calls forth much adverse comment as to the slow running of the local train service. At this season of the year when tourist traffic, accustomed to reasonable train transit, is I setting in, visitors do not form pleasant I

ideal of a district served by so unsatisfactory a service as obtains, and has a tendency to-diminish ■ the railway earnings. Surely something practical tan he done to remove the reproach to the local service.

Among the road improvements required in the district is tlic widening of many dangerous corners, particiiilaHy on grnd>V, and where the outside of the road is a sheer drop. This is a matter to he taken lip very strongly, if the principle of “safety first” is to he adhered to. With motor trallie moving so fast, aild with the necessarily obscured view caused by growing snub and the angle of the cohiers. it is impossible for approaching traffic to see danger till it is right face to face. There have been several accidents more

or less serious lino numerous voit narrow escapes from serious accidents. Some of the hills in the district, are fairly long and tortuous, and in all cases the biddings are heavily hushed. On grades, the liability to acquire extra speed adds io the danger, especially on long journeys when it is necessary to make time. There is thus an ever present element of danger to traffic. and the matter is one which should be taken up ill the interests of all concerned. The work could be carried out where most required, and on this the authority controlling the roads would be the best judge as to the most dangerous points for earliest treatment. For the guidance of visiting motorists there should he more notices on the main highway, particularly where there are long hills, requiring reduced speed and increased rare in driving. .Motor traffic is growing so that these increased precautions arc a necessity to avoid the possibility of accident. The proposal mentioned the other day to have a number of open crossings made safe and level for motor trallie. is a good one, and will be of service to visiting motorists who. often unfamiliar with tlie road are unaware of the open traps till actually upon them. It will help to popularise motoring in the district to have these crossings attended to and generally as much as possible should be done for the safety of traffic seeing the present vogue of traffic and its increasing volume in this district.

Tin: passing of the lion Joseph (Irimmouil under such sudden circumstances will have cast a very painful pal! over the community. The deceased gentleman was olio of the host known men in West land, where he has resided for something like sixty years. 11 ** may in fact be described ns the lather of the early pioneer hand, all of whom regarded him as a i lose friend, hiving so long in the district. Mr Orimmond had become very closely identified with its fortunes. lie was iiitilllatclv !ISsoeialcd with its public life, having occupied seals oil practically every | nblic body, attaining tile chid civic positions in bis home town, and holding scats in both branches of the legislature. Tn addition. Mr Orimmond was prominent in local enterprises, particularly mining ventures, since pile very carv days, lie ";is ttills a very notable figure ill the district. Mr Orimmond. particularly in bis later leisure years, devoted bis energies almost entirely to the public service, lie was greatly interested in the welfare of Westland, lie had travelled from one end of the eouiitry to the other, and knew his Westland well. lie "as ready and anxious always to do wluit he eonid to advaiKC its interests. and was keen to use his inlluonee where lie could for the benefit of the ('immunity. Mr Orimmond was an outspoken loyalist, and a firm believer in the mission of the Kmpire. To Ins public addresses he invariably struck an imperial note. He came to the ci’.lonics a young man without moans, hut with talents and character, lie won his way through life, often a hard life in llie early pioneer days, lie hail many interesting experiences to tell of tin’ tips and downs of fortune, but lie had a cheery optimism always, and reverses hut spurred him to greater cll'ort. II" bad a very intimate inler- "..! ill the allairs of bis liiun" town, where lie was a notable poison,age indeed throughout the "hole history of the borough, and his familiar figure will he missed greatly. As a contemporary of hosts ot men ol the past he was something of a direct link with the early days, and his sudden removal even though the ordinary spall of life bail I id’ll parsed, will l.e deeply regietted. and lie "ill he mourned sincerely by a very wide circle of friends in all parts of the Dominion.