CONFERENCE OF LOCAL BODIES.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 1 May 1912, Page 3

CONFERENCE OF LOCAL BODIES.

MOEE SLIGHT CONCESSIONS

ASKED

NORTHERN LOCAL BODIES SATISFIED WITH PEOPOSALS.

DEPUTATION TO WAIT ON

MINISTEB

A meeting of delegates from most of the Local Bodies interested, was held in the Helonsville Town Board Office on Thursday afternoon, convened by that Board to discuss the proposed time-table for the improvement of the Kaipara train Service, submits ted by the Minister of Eailways. Following were the representatives present:—Messrs Jas. Stewart aud J. A. Wilson (Helenaville Town Board), Jas. McLeod, V, Kerr-Taylor, and P. Dye (^Waitemata County Council), Hudson and Marks (Kaipara Eoad Board), Jackrnan and Smith (Otamatea County Council), Thompson and Shepherd (Eodney County Council), E. C. Hammond (Kaipara Steam, Shipping Co.), E. M. Cameron (Sellars-Alien S.S. Co,), and Jordan aiid F. Dye (Kaukapakapa Eoad Boaid). Mr Gordon Coates, M.P. was also present. On the. motion of Mr Kerr- Taylor, seconded by Mr Shepherd, Mr Jas. Stewart, Chairman of the Helensville Town Board, was elected Chairman of the meeting. Before- proceeding to business the Chairman asked if any members wished to attend the reception being given to Mr Myers, Minister of Eailways, in Auckland that evening, as if they did, ho could proeme seats for them. He pointed out that several wanted to go down by the train, and if it were decided that a deputation wait on tho Minister, Mr Myers had promised to receive it next morning. The Chairman then read the resolution passed at the Town Board Office to ask the Minister of Eailways to suspend the time-table till it was discussed by local bodies, and resolution convening the meeting for 25th inst. He thanked tho.se present for their attendance, and read replies from the Kaipara Chamber of Commerce, who wrote saying that in the Chamber's opinion the" timetable as submitted by the Minister would suit them very well; and the Dargaville Borough Oonncil, stating that the revised timetable of the Helensville-Auckland trains as proposed by the Minister was satisfaetoiy, and would suit the people there.

Continuing-, Mr Stewart said it was promised by the former Minister of Kailways, that local bodies would "be given an opportunity to discuss the proposed alterations before they came into operation, and the next thing i they saw was the timetable was to come into force by May Ist, without giving an opportunity to local bodies to discuss them. Thus the Town Board's action in convening this meeting hurriedly. Coining to tho proposed time-table, he said there was a train suggested to leave Helensville at 3 o'clock ; he thought that an early morning fast train from Helensville, carrying passengeis and perishable goods only, was needed, the tram would help the passengers arriving over right by steamer to reach Auckland in a much shorter time than at preseut The Steam Shipping Companies had decidod to sup; ort tho speeding up of the north trains f .oni Helerisvillo to WeHsford, and recognised a fourth train was required to run to suit the greater number. When tho matter was put before tho Minister the butter i iciustry in Helensville was overlooked, as besides quite a number of people found it necessary to, come to Helenaville where there were such facilities as a bank, doctor, chomist, dentist, hospital, etc., and where they could do all their business without going to the city. Mr McLoocl: It is a fact the Helensville Town Board were not ooasided. The Minister promised that the timetable would be sent to the Town Board and other local bodies before it wns scheduled, He was sorry the Wairoa people were not represented. He moved "that this meeting regrets that tho Dargaville Borough Council. Kaipara Chamber of Commerce, and the Hobson County Council were not represented ;'" seconded by Mr Taylor, and carried.

Mr Korr-Taylor pointed out that tho late Minister of ."Railways had stated that under the new time-table people between Helensville to ITunderson would not be cut out. It was seen that the, traiu almost ran from Helensville to Henderson Avithout stopping at intermediate stations. He though" it unfair. The suburban people had a large number of trains, and it avhs no hardship for them to be cut out of this service ; besides it Avould interfere with the schoolchildren.

The Chairman : J t would not interfore with the children's train, the time-table was for an extra service and uot to interfere with the ordinary train.

Mr Dye was rjleased to hear that the meeting guiny to consider the passengers beyond Helensville. The train had to serve Helensville, Dargaville, and the North. If the traia was speeded up tho people up north would expect to be connected with the fast train. Over 25 years ago trains ran to Merger in 2 hours, Kaukapakapa is tho same distance and yet to-day it takes 4 hours ; he could not see much go-ahead m the railways.

Mr Jackman. thought the proposed service was to suit the Wairoa people. As far as Otamatea was concerned, they were satisfied with the service.

Mr Hammond :It would suit the steamers and Wairoa people. He was

in favour of making the morning train from Helensville a fast train, leaving at 7 a.m., and arriving at Auckland at 8 44 a.m ; that would also suit Helensville people. The fast train in the evening was no advantage to the Wairoa people, A fast train leaving Auckland at 7.15 a.m., giving 15 minutes to connect with the Main Trunk Express, and arriving in Heiensville at 9 a.m.,would suit all people north, That train could go right through, arriving at Te Hana at 12 o'clock.

Mr Shepherd thought that if the Wellsford train was' speeded up it would not suit for the conveyance of cream. If they had an extra train it would be all right. He thought stops below Henderson could be left out.

Mr Cameron supported the early morning train from HelensviUe as-it would benefit the Springs, which was of great importance to the district. . ■

Mr Thompson : As far as the timetable was concerned, it did not affect his district. He wished to press for the mid-day train to be speeded up, and also the afternoon train. He thought they should have a little consideration, ;

Mr Hudson : If the north train left Wellsford at 8 o'clock thoie would be no difficulty in getting the cream, 9.30 was rather late. Hoteo was a big district, and ho thought the cream could be got to the rail at 8.30. They had all agreed about speeding up the trains from Helensville,

Mr Thompson: The train having to leave Kaiwaka at 7 o'clock would bo too early. ■ • N

Mr Coates said that the 3 30 train should be dealt with.. The people up the lin6 wanted tho midday train. He would like to be sure of the train leaving Auckland at 7.30 going fight through. There were about 15 oc 20 people travelling from Wellsford to Kaiwaka daily.

The Chairman: The speeding up half way down was a beginning. Mr Dye : The speeding up of the 7,30 from Auckland .going right through was a good suggestion, allowing people to get home in the daylight.

After considerable more discussion Mr Jackman moved, seconded by Mr Shepherd, " That a fast train leave Auckland at 7.15 instead of 8.20 a,m, —Carried.

Mr Stewart moved, seconded by Mr Hammond, " That the extra passenger train leave Helensville at 7 a.m. for Auckland instead of at 3 p.m., and be made a fast train."

Mr Jackman proposed as an amendment. '• That the fast train leaving Helensville .at 3.30 rj.m. remain as proposed by the new time-table."

Mr Smith, in seconding, thought it would suit the Otainatea people better. The Chairman explained tliat the. ordinary train would leave as usual afterwards.

Mr Jack man : The fast train in the morning would do away with, the 3 o'clock express.

On the amendment being put to tho meeting it was lost, tho proposition being carried. Mr McLood : Messrs Jackman and Smith are looking at at from their own point. He was s-jrry the local bodies from north did not stud)' the greatest number.

Mr Stewart moved, Mr Hudson seconded, " That the train leaving Auckland at 10.00 a.m. bo made a fast train to Helmsville, also that the morning train from Wellsford be made a fast train after having Ilelensville." — Carried,

A deputation of all members of the Conference was appointed to "wait en the Minister on Friday morning, with the suggestions arrived at.

A vote of thanks to the Chairrcan terminated the meeting.