RAILWAY AFFAIRS

Hokitika Guardian, 26 July 1933, Page 2

RAILWAY AFFAIRS

VISIT OF GENERAL MANAGER

DEPUTATION AT COUNTY ‘"CHAMBERS.

Mr H. H. Sterling, General Manager of New Zealand Railways accompanied bv Mr Casey of Head Office, Visited Hokitika yesterday on their return from -the South Westland Glaciers. Opportunity was furnished in the afternon of meeting representatives of the local bodies at the County Chambers at 1.30. The Mayor (Mr G. A. Perry), Mr J. A. Murdoch) acting County Chairman, Dr Teichelinann, Messrs H. T. Parry, C : 11. Guthrie? 'R. Wild and W. Radford met the party. The. Mayor extended"a welcome to Mr Sterling, and expressed satisfaction

that despite difficult times now being experienced an improvement had been brought about in the position of the railways. He hoped the present visit would be a pleasant one, and be useful to Mr Sterling in the knowledge lie would gain and the information he would acquire for the benefit of the department.

Mr Murdoch joined in the welcome, and. stated that they greatly appreciated the vifiit. They loked forward the to ultimate extension of the railway south, and as a result of Mr Sterling’s visit, hoped he would give them a line oiv which they could work in the future with regard to having the line carried on. lie instanced what had been done by Stuart and Chapman Ltd., in regard to the building of the line for timber traffic, and referred to the generous action of the firm in building a bridrre over the Mikonui river, which had been handed over at a reasonable consideration for public traffic. They were now looking to South Westland for white

pine and from the interest taken in the industry in that quarter, a large output was assured for some years to come.

Mr R. Wild mentioned the excessive charge of railway freight on timber between Hokitika and Greymoutli, and suggested that the position might be reviewed. He .took an opportunity of protesting against the proposed construction of a road alongside the railway line to Tvumara Junction, as transport by means of that would seriously affect the railway revenue.

Mr Gutliry also supported the request for a reduced timber rate, and asked that the charge for siding might be reviewed. He discussed the charges in detail with Mr Sterling. Mr Parry made a request in regard to what was considered an excessive charge for freight on butter to Lyttelton, and 'asked for ' consideration. Could not the boxes be charged at timber freight rates, a suggestion which amused Mr Sterling who considered it “a new one.”