SPEEDING UP THE TRAINS

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 13 January 1916, Page 2

SPEEDING UP THE TRAINS

HELP! HELP!

Adeputution consisting of Messrs N. Finlayson, J. Trewin, and F. Rawson, representing the settlers between Maungaturoto and Ranganui, waited upon the Hon. MrHerries. Ministel- for Railways, at Ranganui station on Thursday last, and asked for an improvement in the train service. It was~stated that although the formation was completed and the rails laid as far as Maungaturoto there were one or two bad fillings and it was estimated it would be some 12 months before" the section of line would be ready to be handed over by the Public Works to the Working Railways Department. It was therefore asked that an improvement in the train service to and from Auckland be arranged without waiting for the opening of the further extension. Under the present arrangement mail matter posted in Auckland on Thursdays did not reach Maungaturoto until Monday. The settlers were therefore worse off in .this respect than before tho railway reached Ranganui, as formerly there was a coach service. Under the present running there were two trains from Auckland, an express and a slow train, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It was asked that the slow trains be run on Wednesdays and Fridays. This, with theislow train on Saturday, would give a train connection with the city each day, except Mondays, and would provide a great convenience for the settlers. It£was also asked that if possible the slowtrainshould.be speeded up, as it does not now reach Ranganui until 6 p.m., and in the winter tho after-dark travelling over bad roads caused much hardship.

Mr Herries said he had hoped that the section to Maungaturoto would be ready to be taken over by the Railway Department before the coming winter set it. However, in view of the representations of the deputation, he would have the matter carefully gone into on his return to Wellington, and would give it full consideration.