HELENSVILLE TRAIN SERVICE.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 8 May 1912, Page 3

HELENSVILLE TRAIN SERVICE.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, —I have attended many meetings of various kinds, political, social, and religious, but it has seldom been my lot to listen to a more illogical speaker than Mr James McLeod proved to be at the meeting on. Saturday evening in reference to the above. Personally I feel quite sure that if Mr McLeod had acted on the dictates of his own good sense, he would have given up the idea of holding the meeting when he became quite sure of the fact that it was only the proposed express train which-was not stopping at Helensville South; as, however, he had made such a fuss about the whole business, he evidently was persuaded by someone else that it was incumbent upon, him to see the thing out; subsequent events proved that he was badly advised.

:.I do not propose to take any note of a great deal that Mr McLeod felt called upon to say, except to remind him that " abuse is no argument."

As an instance of his utter want of logic however, I will draw attention to the manner in which he expatiated on^the. hardship of the traveller, who, leaving the steamer, at night on his way to Auckland, has to get accommodation a/fc Helensville South, and' then has to carry his luggage back to Helensville North to get the train. Why, asks Mr McLeod, should the aforesaid traveller have to do this ? And Mr Editor, echo answers "Why?',' Seeing that a train leaves Helensville South the next morning at 7 o'clock, and another at 12.30, I; think the man who carries his luggage up to the North station to get the train to Auckland must have been drunk the night before, or else like Mr McLeod, he wants to put his hand put to see if he is awake —the alleged argument is absolutely illogical. In fact, the purpose for which the meeting was called, i.e. to get an express train to stop at two stations within half a mile of each other in a town of 700 inhabitants, was altogether illogical.

Another thing demonstrated by the meeting was the fact, that when Mr McLeod gets properly going, too much reliance must not be placed on statements made by him. He may or may not " lose his head," but something gets adrift. I also draw the attention of your readers (and particularly those who were at the meeting) to a letter appearing in the Auckland "Star" of Friday last over the signature of James McLeod, containing certain references to the wording of the resolution carried at his.' indignation " meeting and ask both them and you to compare his remarks with the report of the Kaipara Advertiser or to consult the mover of the resolution, Mr R. Cameron, about it.

Mr McLeod's expressed disregard and contempt of all competent authorities, such as the General Manager of Railways, or anyone else who might differ from him, is beautiful to behold, and it is to be hoped that when " Plain Bill Massey " gets into power, he will not miss the opportunity of allowing Mr James-McLood to show his organising and business abilities as General Manager of Railways ; or possibly, on a platform of undertaking to stop express trains at all Flag stations' Mr McLeod might get returned to Parliament, and then " Plain William" would have his anxieties in connection with the Minister of Railways' portfolio, absolutely settled; and then we should see —what we should see. Yours etc., Joe Rea.