NORTHERN RAILWAYS.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 30 October 1919, Page 3

NORTHERN RAILWAYS.

DEPUTATION MEETS

OFFICIALS

On Friday last a deputation, representative of the whole of the Kaipara, Rodney, and Wairoa jflfcSficts, including members of Helensville Town Board, Rodney, Otamatea, and Hobson County Councils, Kaipara Chamber of Commerce, and also Whangarei interests, waited on Mr Wm. Williams of the head office, railway Department, Wellington, and Mr A. Duncan, district traffic manager. Mr James Stewart, who acted as chairman, placed the various requests of the deputation before the railway officials, chief of which was a plea for the restora#on of the pre-war express service on the Kaipara line, to ensure a speedier journey to and fiom the city than is now the case. In addition were suggested a tri-weekly express service to the terminus of the North Auckland Trunk line, and shorter route from the city. The extension of the suburban area to Kumeu, and the issue of weekend excursion tickets to Helensville were also requested, as well as the need for reducing the journey between Auckland and Helensville, which now takes about three hours, against two " hours before the war. It was ;1- __pointed out that it now took a £_ traveller from Dargaville 12 hours % to reach Auckland, which was -"' the time taken 30 years ago in .; the days when a paddle-boat to $- Riverhead was part of the means |?-:r of transportation. Speakers dell clared-thrat-^the- progress of the p;, North was being delayed by the Mr- the present state of the railway ft- services, and that increasing Jjr settlement right through neces- %, sitated considerable improvei ' ments in the present totally I 'j- -inadequate time-tables. \^ The deputation, which was well ■ . received, was complimented on JT""ihe excellent manner in which Li—the various business brought for- |-~- ward was handled. The requests |. were^duly noted, and will be %. placed before the general mans£- ager of railways for that gentle|pi man's consideration.