NORTHERN RAILWAYS.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 16 October 1919, Page 2

NORTHERN RAILWAYS.

IMPROVEMENTS WANTED.

The agitation tor an improved railway service for Kaipara and the North generally, advanced another stage on Friday evening, when a public meeting was held at Kaukapakapa to discuss the following resolutions, passed by the Helensville and Waimauku meetings:— /

(a) That the pre-war daily express service between Auckland and Helensville should be re-in-stated, with extention to enable connection with the northern train, the departure from Helensville to Auckland to be delayed from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. (b) That the express service between Helensville and the northern railhead b« extended and run on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. That the Railway Department take over from the P.W.D. the line from Ranganui to Haurau, the latter to be the railhead. (Note : The tunnel at Bickerstaffe was built in 1911). (c) That the present 6.5(X a.m. train leaving Helensville for Auckland be altered to 7 a,m., the pre-war time-table. (c) That the present 3.15 p.m. train from Auckland leave at 4 p.m., and to arrive at Helensville at 6.15 p.m. (c) That the present system of shunting carriages on and off at Henderson, causing unnecessary delay to the Helensville train, be discontinued.

Mr F. Dye, member for the riding, presided over a good at" tendance, and introduced Mr Jas. Stewart, chairman of the Helens-:, ville Town Board, who addressed the meeting at length on the disabilities existing at present.. It was most important that the daily express to and from Auckland should be restored, as the present system of running trains on the Kaipara line was costly to business people and farmers generally. Improvements to the service north of Relensville were very much needed also, and the, people of Kaukapakapa district were very concerned in this matter. By presenting a united front, said the speaker, the district was more likely to get improvements than by trying for them by individual efforts.

Discussion on several matters ensued. Mr Koller was of the opinion that four o'clock was too late for the afternoon train to leave Auckland, on account of the school children who travelled by the train.

The present system of shunting v - at Henderson and Helensville '. was condemned, and several "v present were of the opinion that \. half the time spent at these stations was wasted. One speaker recorded the fact that on a recent morning, the train going »orth.^~" from Helensville had a 35-minut^-^ stop at that station, for no ap- I parent reason whatever. v

It was decided to support the resolutions put before the meeting, and a resolution to this effect was carried unanimously, In the event of a conference being held in connection with these matters, Mr F. Dye was appointed to represent Kaukapakapa and district interests. : Votes of thanks to the speaker (Mr Stewart), the editor of the Echo, and the chairman concluded the meeting.