PUBLIC MEETING.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 1 May 1912, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING.

TO RAILWAY MATTERS.

RUMOURED TRAINS NOT STOPPING AT SOUTH station:

Considerable interest was evinced by the general public on Saturday by the appearauco of Notices calling a public meeting te protest against the proposed exDress trains "not stooping at Helensville South Station." This was met by a circular being distributed which showed that the only train not stop p ing at the South Station was the ad~ d itional 4 service leaving Auckland at 8 20. and leaving Helensville on the re~. turn at 3.0.p,ru, the ordinary three trains stopping at all stations as here* tofrn-e. However before 8 o'clock the Forest er'sHall was well filled with ex* pectant townspeople eager to hear both sides, and to learn the true state of the proposed alterations in the train service between Helensville and Auckland. The audience Ivas very pati* ent and the different speakers were given a good hearing. '

Mr h, Nicholls, was voted to the chair, and called on Mr. Jas McLeod, convenor of the meeting to lay the matter before those present. '

Mr. Me Leod in his opening remarks stated the reason for calling the meeting was to protest against Heleiisville South being omitted as a stopping place, in the proposed train serviceJjk^ Those present may wonder why he^ called the meeting when there is a chairman of the Town Board, He was going to let them know why. The Chairman of the Town Board (Mr. Jas Stewart) wanted the South Station closed up. "When Mr. Miller, late Minister o? Railways visited Helensville, h.6 approached him and he decided to do something for Helonsville South. The proposed new service was to be submitted to local bodies to discuss, but, to his surprise the first he saw was the time-table in the paper.' Mr Miller then went out of officeand Mr Myers the new Minister was asked to suspend the time.table, till discussed by local bodies. A conference was held last Thursday. 25 th inst. It did not strike him that the South Station was left out, and the Chairman (Mr Stewart) never said a word about it. The conforence was hurried through as several wished to get to town by the afternoons train, and several matters were notdiscussed but delegates were to meet -■: on the way and discuss further. The Chairman gotiu at Helensville South, and on the journey he(AlcLeod) asked him if the trains were to stop at Helensville South, at the same time reminding him that at his farce bridge meeting he declared he was for Helens* -. ville South station to be kept open. The Chairman said that express trains could not stop at all small stations. He informed Mr Stewart that he was going to bring it before theMinister, whereupon members were buttonholed to go agaiust it, but one member was not witli him. When the deputation went to interview the Minister he thought the Chairman would submit speakers,but Mr Coates got up and stated who were to speak, the conference not being asked , and he was left out, but he it to Mr Coates, and through him he got an opportunity. Mr McLe'od said he ex* plained to the Minister that he was satisfied, but that Helensville South was left out, and pointed out that aIU together two thirds of people of Holeuaville, and 500 residents on the Mats came through that station; besides which half the passengers coming by the steamers had to go to Helensville -' South for accommodation, and it was not reasonable to ask them to carry their luggage and walk back to Helensville North. Mr Stewart safd we were not there to discuss stations, but he (Mr McLeod) was there for the people every time (Applause,). He told the Minister he. represented two thirds of the people of Helonsville. Mr Mitchelsqn was there looking after Wairnauku's ' interest and I notice that station has - been put in. He with others left the interview and proceeded to Heiensville to the opening of the Technical School! and after explaining how matters stood in connection with Helensville South station he called the meeting. He had no hesitation in saying that miswading statements had been circulated to stop people from ooming, but he was pleased to see they had turned up (applause). Re thought all should have a show in dealing with the matter He did not loose his head on such matters, and furthermore thero were no round corner business about him. ; Mr Stewart passed circulars ound zM the settlement giving the train servic- "it es, but before he had the opportunity • of seeing one (Mr Stewart took fine care he did not recaive one direct) that" had been given to another persou, he hc Bfh Pi 'Not t0 b9 linked by the Chairman but to carry Qn the meeting." (Applause). v * A voie<, : If there are other trains th 9 express train means go ahead Notstop aJi-tjie time. fLa^hS* Mr Jas McLeoa continuing, said he was agaxust Mr Stewarts' motion for the morning train to run at 7 instead' iot /.oO as at present. That train vumld arrive at Auckland xhr ami ' o miiis ear her ; that was only 33\min? quicker; that and the 8.20 express from Auckland returning from Hell ensville at 3 o'clock was all the^onces> sionsAveweretoget. (A voice X ' is better than nothing S TwV • f right throu h to HlnsVrS 8 aud Heleiisviile South and ail the country Nations are cut out, or ma de flag stations, while the suburban gohons art-left in. If the ChaSnan - had Helensville so much atheart why

did not. Mi Coates was fighting for the country stations. He pointed out to the Minister that there were 14 suburban trains, and it was not fair that the country stations should be sacrificed. Mr Coates, he thought, "backed it up. One thing he would say, that.who-, ever was Chairman of the Boaid he had no right to approach the Minister in a private manner, it should be put before the Board; we should not be left in the dark. He couJd get the ear of the Minister as well as Mr Stewart, but it was his way tc come forward in a straight way and say what he had to say (hear, hear). He thought if the meetinp1 was in favour of the trains stopping at Helensville South Btation, a petition should be got up and signed by all, and forwarded to the Minister of Eailways at once. (Applause): .

Mr- James Stewart then took the platform in reply to Mr McLeod's statements, he said that for years past Helensville had been subject to slow trains, and it wap with the object of getting them.speeded up that a deputation, waited on Mr Miller (late Minister of Eailways) when he visited Helensville. The Minister ' promised to go into tho matter and to submit the proposals to the different local bodies to discuss before being finally fixed. To his surprise the first - they knew a time-table with an extra passenger train was to come into operation on May lst,'a copy of the proposed alterations was forwarded under cover daieiLApril 4th. The Board met on Aprills, and on April 16 a wire was sent to the Gsneral Manager of Eail■ways earnestly requesting that the xunHing of the amended timetable be suspended, pending a meeting of local bodies called for the 25th April to discuss proposed alterations, as ar<« ranged with late Minister. A reply was received from the Manager that the request would be granted until a further communication was received from the' Board after the meeting on the 25th inst. Explanatory letters were written to local bodies to send two delegates to attend the meeting to fully discuss the best service to suit the various districts. Delegates were appointed by all the local bodies, with the exception of the Kaipara Chamber cf Commerce and the Dargaville Borough Council who stated they were satisfied with the time-table submitted. i- The conference was held on Thursday and resolutions passed, were brought before the Minister on !Fri~ day, and the time-table, as circularised that day ■ agreed on.

Continuing Mr Stewart said lie realised that a considerable business had grown up in Helensville from the north, and they wanted to keep the trade coming from there. The upriver people were against them. It ■was the tablet system used on suburban line that kept those stations in, and necessitated others higher up being left out to make up time, .

On the way to Auckland Mr Me-* Leod'said their was nothing said about Helensville South being left out of the stopping placps. Mr McLeod said " I know your back handed ways." He (Mr Stewart) challenged Mr McLeod to p/ove any back handed "ways. He thought that it was bad taste on Mr McLeod's part, but he could not help it, it was again&t him personally. The ■ Kaipara deputation was taken first, as several wanted to return to Helensville to the opening of the Technical School. He arranged with Mr Coates that one person representing each body speak, and if anything was left, others could speak. Mr (Joates introduced the deputation, and he (the speaker) submitted the reso^ lutions, Mr Jackman followed. He started to bring up other matters, not push the resolutions. In answer to Mr McLeod the Minister said he could not have an express train and stops in 30 chains on an uphill grade. Mr Myers .thought they were all agreed on the resolutions, but as they were not he, (Mr Myers) thought they had better confer with Mr Ronayne and Mr Bowles, and see what could be arranged.

He and a number of others went to the Manager's room, while Mr Coates and Mr McLeod cleared out to Helensville. Mr Mander, member for Marsden, and a number of people were present. He saw that lie had to trim his sails and work in wish the Others if he was going to get anything at\all. The Manager said the extra train was going to cost £6,000; it would go "right on north and back, and as they had made up the run it would not be altered. Mr Honayne gaid that the 3 p.m. train was not the Helensville tram, but the Otamatea, and atop at any other stations than those named, he could not. The speak* er spent some time explaining to the manager the necessity for the fast train in the morning leaving Helensville at 7 find arriving in Auckland at 9.15, Later the train would reach Auckland at 8.55. It was to be a pas • senger train only, taking perishable goods but no freight. You must remember that that will allow people to get into town in time for business, tie could see if they did not come down and meet each other they would get. uething. When he got back to Helensville he heard Me McLeod had stated that the trains do not stop at Helensville South, and a meeting protesting was called. The express did not stop. He wired to the Traffic Manager the following: " freely circulated here proposed 7 a.m. passenger train Helensvilie to Auckland nuts out Helensville South, is this correct." To which the following reply was received from Mr Bowles : " 7 a.m. train will stop at JJelensville South for passengor traffic only," Coming down to the point, is it fair that you are goin gto get everything and the northern people nothing? A Voice : We want the xikceto go ahead. Mr Stewart : The people up North

wanted an express an I they will have it. ge had never applied to the manager, nor buttonholed members. JJe would give £50 to the Helensville Library if Mr McLeo<? could get it from the members in writing. (Applause).

A Voice : Take it up, and help the Library.

The Dargaville people said they were satisfibd. When you meet one who will deal fair and squarely, you must deal squarely with them. He was sorry that all were not of one mind, the main thing was to get quick trains from Auckland, and Mr Myers was anxious to do what he could to settle your differences to-day, and you will get your express train. The cost of the train is £6,000. Get up a petition but don't jeopodise our express train. The Minister has already told Mr McLeod the train would not stop. Concluding, Mr Stewart said he would answer any questions about what was done m Auckland. He was not afraid to come to this meeting, although he had been advised not to,

In reply to Mr Eea, Mr Stewart said Mr Eonayne had promised that in the spring the train would run north, it was only the beginning of a northern express that would run right through.

Mr Bennett •. Got to go from Hel ensville South to Helensville North for the 3 p.m. express ? Eot.

Mr Eea: There are one or two things that strikes one in connection with the 7 a.m. train, it would enable a person to go to town and get back by the 10.50, having an hour and a half in the city, that was satisfactory^ The 8.20 will enable people to get up to Helensville at 10.10. The timptable is eminently satisfactory. Those ar« my sentiments.

Mr McLeod : I -wish to point out that Mr Stewart avoided" saying what he had done about HelensviPe South Station. He kept it up his sleeve. It should have been talked over at the Conference. J[e should, as Chairman, have brought it up. The Chairman had no right to close it without consulting the people, The Bail way Manager is our servant. 3t was bun. kum to talk about. the stopping of trains, (Applause).1 Let us, as men, stand up and have our rights. All that we have is 33 minutes. |Je was representing Mairetahi. Mr JJarding was not.one of the deputation. It waE the Chairman's duty to have given him a hearing. The question as to the cost being- £6,000 was not true. Some years ago he asked for a special train, he was asked £56 j he asked if they would split the difference, or give him all over that amount ? No ! Mr Monk, who was member at the time, got the cost put on the table in. Parliament ; and what do you think it really cost, exactly £6 !3s Bd. That was what tins extra train was costing. In answer to Mr Donovan, Mr MoLeod said : It was not a 'fact that he was present when Mr Myers said the train would not stop at. JJelensville South :30 chains by rail ( -h mile by road. They never got stuck up at J{elensville South, but they did in two places lower down. ][c would not allow all tho Ministers and Managers in the Dominion to put nonsense down his throat. J{e would like to ask Mr Stewart if he has pulled the strings that the goods shed was not required. (Applause). Did you say, when MiMiller was here, that tho shed was not needed ?

Mr Stewart: I give you jboO challeago to confirm your statements.

Mr McLeod : Did you come forward and assist to get the shed ?

Mr Stewart: Did you come forward and ask the Board to assist you. All things must have a beginning. If the train runs in the country, saving one hour, it would help the" town, if not, nothing would. JJelensville South would always be open. JJe used it a good deal.

Mr Donovan : I would like to know who was telling the truth (laughter^ Mr I. McLeod pointed out that the trouble took place many years ago, in shifting the site of the "station to the North, when it was destined in the early stages for the South end, JJo pointed out at the time that thvy should not depart from the? place. The best thing that the Minister could do was to make a platform station about half-way between the two, making the present ground occupied by the two stations, shunting grounds, having an outlet to tho platform station from each end. |{c was sorry if they were going to miss the station being built in the certre of the town.

Mr Cameron : The morning train will suit all people, they would be able to come up to"the Spriugs, returning in time for bu si a ess on Monday morning. He thought it Avouid the town He would move : •' That a vote of thanks be parsed to the Minister of Bailways through the Board for speeding up the 7 o'clock train,"

Mr Kea seconded the motion

Mr McLeod : By supporting that motion they were doing harm as they had really not got any concessions.

Mr hlvans • I propose a vote of censure to Mr Stewart for not having let them know what he was doing, as Chairman of the Board, and for not taking the public into his confidence. Secondod by Mr Borman. The amendment, on being put, Avas lost, the motion being carried.

There appeared no other proposals coming forward and the Chairman closed the nieeting. The petition that Avas to be proposed falling through.