MINISTER FOR RAILWAYS AT HELENSVILLE.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 17 April 1914, Page 5

MINISTER FOR RAILWAYS AT HELENSVILLE.

DEPUTATIONS IN GALORE

SUNDAY TRAINS

A CENTRAL STATION, ETC

Several matters of public inter- : est were brought under the notice of the Hon. W. H. Herries (Minis- : ter for Railways) at Helensyille on Thursday by deputations introduced by Mr G. Coates, M.P. A visit was paid to the Hot Springs at Helensville. Messrs McLeod, Beoroft and Coates, accompanied the Minister in a motor car, and Messrs Rimmer and Stringer and the private scretaries in a waggonette. The great improvements which have been ; carried out during the past . year were examined by the Mi n - : ister. Captain Sellars kindly lent his ■ motor car to the party. < Anumber of Maori deputations : a^R-oached the Minister on ' matters arising out of Depart- ' mental changes necessitated in connection with native legislation passed last year, and the nature of the changes was fully explained ' by the Minister. Sunday Train to Helensville. Twenty-three residents were in attendance in support of the petition. A largely-signed petition was presented by a deputation to Mr. Herries, requesting that the Sunday trains which now'runs as far as Swanson from Auckland, should go to Helensville. If this were done, it was stated, many ' people would be able to take advantage of the Helensville Hot Springs during the week-ends. Speakers : —Messrs Jas. Mc- - Eeod, A. Becroft, and F. Dye. Mr Bouchier also spoke on behalf of intermediate stations. It was also pointed out that if this train was xun, the Dargaville boat would also run for the benefit of Dargaville people going straight into town. Mr J. G. Coates M.p.,in support. The same deputation requested, on behalf of a number of graziers in the district, that facilities for watering stock should be provided at the Helensville railway station. The Minister consented to the latter request, and in regard to the other matter said that the representations would receive full ,consideration. He pointed out, however, that there were strong objections to any extension of Sunday railway services, and he repeatedly received protests agairist the running of any Sunday trains. He recognised that strong views on this question were held by a large number'of religious bodies, and he did not wish to interfere in any way with their scruples. But in the present case there seemed to be special circumstances which did not apply to any other part of New Zealand, amongst these being the fact that the running of the train would enable sufferers, who would otherwise be prevented, to use the hot springs. The Speed of Trains. The next request was from the Town Board, which asked that the afternoon train from Auckland to Helensville should be " speeded up." It was stated that the journey at present occupied an unusually long time. Mr Jas. McLeod and F. Dye were the speakers. The Minister promised to go into the matter with his Departmental officers, and if it were at all possible to fall in with the request of the deputation he would have much pleasure in doing so. A further request that the North Auckland express should connect with the three o'clock express from Helensville was placed before the Minister by Mr F. Dye "(chairman of the Waitemata County Council) and Mr J. Darroch, of Taiheke. Consideration of the matter was promised. Improvements Wanted. A deputation, comprising Mr G. Niccol and Captains Sellars and Sandin, asked that more shipping accommodation should be provided at Jtelensville, also that dredging should be undertaken at the northern end of the wharf, Mr Herries said that the matter would be carefully considered with a view to obtaining a Departmental report By Messrs Jas. McLeod, I. McLeod and E. S. Masters—That the Helensville and Helensville South station be replaced by a central station was the final re. quest made to the Minister. In reply Mr.berries said that before he could come to a decision on the matter he would have to have definite information as to the advantages or otherwise of the change, would want an .^.unanimous petition from the Helensville Ratepayers that it would be •an advantage. Also he would have to ascertain if there were any serious engineering diffrculties. ■ Mr Jas. McLeod also asked for an overhead bridge at the Meiensville South Crossing, pointing out

it was one of the most dangerous crossings in New Zealand.

The Minister replied that the Department were experimenting with an alarm signal, and if this proved successful, he would not forget the crossing. Mr Coates proposed a vote .of thanks to the Minister for the courteous and attentive hearing he had given the deputations Mr Jas. M c Leod seconded. It was carried by acclamation.