THE RAILWAYS

Hokitika Guardian, 3 August 1926, Page 4

THE RAILWAYS

MEETING- COMPETITION

WELLINGTON, Aug. 1. Some important decisions were reached at the recent Railway Transportation conference with r-eieror.ee to motor competition. The conference approved of a. thor-

ough invesligmbn cf the position, with a. view to the Department placing vehicles on the road in suitable localities to combat private enterprise. Among the localities suggested were- Napier— Hastings, Wellington—-Khandallah, Wellington— Lower Hutt, AucklandPapalootoe, Christchurch—South bridge, Christchurch — Rangiora and Oamarn— Ngapara, Provision of a night light in each compartment of cars c-n the. North Island main trunk trains in order to facilitate exit -and entrance or passengers was recommended, the light to be adjacent to' the emergency brake lever now being fitted to main trunk

The principle of using only secondclass accommodation with chair scats on secondary branch lines was affirmed. It was recommended that in respect- to suburban trains each ease should be treated on its merits, havjiio- regal'd to desirability and economy. . Shed and yard costs, it was urged, would ho reduced by the installation of up-to-date mechanical appliances and devices at a number of stations. Provision was being made at the Auckland new goods shed for electrically operated traversing cranes, but mechanical appliances for handling goods and waggons were necessary at Christchurch (goads), Timaru, New Plymouth, Dunedin, Invercargill, Greymouth, Wellington, Invercargill (yard), Paknerston North and -Frankton. The electric overhead cranes in Invercargill goods shed and in the U D” shed at Christchurch had been found to be very successful and economical.