HELENSVILLE-AUCKLAND RAILWAY.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 11 October 1911, Page 3

HELENSVILLE-AUCKLAND RAILWAY.

Mr Stallwoithy, M.P., (says the Bell), has received the following reply to a letter forwarded by him to the Minister of Railways re freight on tbe Helensville-Auckland Railway : —

Sir,—With reference to your letter of the 16th September forwarding a newspaper extract oi a report oi a meeting of the Kaipara Chamber of Commerce in regard to the question of railway rates between Auckland and Helensville, I have the honour to inform you that the special rates ruling between the stations named are in some instances as much as 27 per cent lower than thft ordinary classified rates. The questiori of cargo being conveyed by vessels from Auckland has already been vnder consideration ; the vessels referred to load timber on the Jvaipara and take cargo from Auckland at verylow rates in order, in pome instances, to obviate the necessity of taking in ballast. The cqnrpetition is, however, not of a serious nature and I am. satisfied that a further reduction in the railway rates would not alter the position in any way in so far as the vessel? are concerned, but would merely result in a serious loss of revenue to the Department. , In these circumstances I regret that I cannot se"1 my way.to authorise any reduction, in the existing rates.—J. A. Millar, Minister of Railways,

HELENSVILLE EXPRESS

The Secretary of the Chamber^ of Commerce has received the following communication : - " With reference to your letter of the 14th ultimo forwarding a copy of a resolution passed by your chamber, urging that a pass^n*. ger express train be run from Auck ■ land to Helensville and back eacli day. I have the honour to inform you. that the passenger traffic between Auckland and Helensville is altogether insufficient to warrant the running of express trains, and in these circumstances the Minister regrets that the request cannot be complied with. —T. Konayno.'