THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1906. RAILWAY FACILITIES.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 4, 16 November 1906, Page 2

THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1906. RAILWAY FACILITIES.

It is well and widely known that the railway service to the King Country has long been inadequate to cope with the rapidly growing trade of our district, and strong representations have been made to the Department, with the object of obtaining an improved service. That the King Country is not the only sufferer in this respect is shown by the action of the Waikato people represented by the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, as we learn that that body has received an unfavourable reply from the Railway Department to its request, that the 2.30 p.m. train, from Frankton to Te Awamutu, should be delayed an hour, and then run right through to Te Kuiti, returning to Frankton next morning. Representations have also been made by the butchers to the Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association, urging the necessity of running a night stock train from the Waikato. If there be any truth in the adage that "constant dropping wears away a stone," the process should surely lead to some result in the near future. Examples could be multiplied showing occasions upon which great loss and inconvenience have been suffered by settlers in consequence of inadequate railway facilities. Quite recently, Mr C. J. Storey had to take back to his farm a couple of truck loads of fat cattle, intended for market, as there were no trucks available at Te Awamutu, and this is only one of many cases in which the Railway Department has been found wanting. We learn that the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce has decided to request the Department to reconsider its decision, and as it is a matter of the greatest importance to this district, we would urge that some measures should be taken by King Country residents in support of the Hamilton Chamber. The request is so reasonable, that we confess we can see no reason for the Department's refusal. By granting it, our settlers would be enabled to attend the Waikato live stock markets, and return here the same day, and the goods traffic would be greatly facilitated by the regular running of this train to Te Kuiti. The settlement of the King Country lands, which are fed by the railway, is a matter of supreme importance, and it is imperative that an effective railway service should be maintained, in order to cope with the demands induced by the growth of settlement. We trust that active steps will be taken to co-operate with the Hamilton people, and if a conference, comprising King Country and Waikato representatives, and Auckland'business people, was held for the purpose of putting the issues before the Department in the strongest and most urgent manner possible, it would have the solid support of each district and should surely lead to some good result.

RAFTING ON THE WANGANUI RIVER. After much time and trouble, coupled with vigorous representation, the Government has at last been induced to allow the Wanganui river to be used for timber rafting purposes, under certain conditions and regulations. The chief condition, which has already been published, requires that a bond be entered into for £IO,OOO, by each person or company using the river for the purpose stated. At the outset it must be said that this amount seems excessive. In the first place by no stretch of imagination could it be deemed possible for that amount of damage to be caused on the river by rafted timber. The whole amount which has been expended by the Government on the improvement of the river is roughly, £14,000, and the logs would require to be piloted to all the vulnerable points on the banks scattering destruction on all sides, to justify the infliction of such a condition. Moreover, it is differentiating to an inordinate degree between the large wealthy firms, and the smaller timber - miller, who is surely just as much-entitled to the use of the river as his larger competitor. A large and flourishing firm might be able to satisfy the Government as to its ability to pay an indemnity of £IO,OOO, while a smaller, and perhaps sounder concern would find it quite beyond its powers. The danger to life has" been set forth as a plea for the disallowing of the rafting, but that statement, while carrying certain weight on the face of it, need not be taken seriously when we consider that rafters are not nearly so heavily loaded for insurance as bush workers- None will dispute that a certain element of danger attached to rafting, but it has long been proved that there are other occupations much more inimical to life, which are not commonly catalogued as dangerous. Of course there are many matters to be considered and interests conserved in this connection, but we can rest assured that everything possible will be protected and hedged round with safeguards by the authorities. A feature of the matter is- that a River Trust Board is to be formed for the purpose of framing regulations under which the traffic is to be carried on. The Board, consisting of a member of the Wanganui Chamber of a saw-miller, and ft Go* I

vernment nominee, is to be vested with advisory powers only, and has to submit recommendations to the Crown Lands Board. This, in addition to the £ IO,OOO bond, seems to be more than sufficient to protect all the interests involved, and it is to be hoped there will be a reduction in the bond, and that the regulations framed will be found workable, and not press too hardly upon an industry which means much to the prosperity of the country in general, and the King Country in particular.