RAILWAY FACILITIES IN THE WAIKATO.

Matamata Record, Volume II, Issue 71, 28 February 1918, Page 3

RAILWAY FACILITIES IN THE WAIKATO.

Representations were made some time ago to the Railway Department by the Farmers' Union for improved facilities for the conveyance of live stock from Waikato and King Country to Auckland as the present timetable was found to be wholly unsatisfactory. > A deputation from the Auckland Executive of the union waited upon the District Traffic Manager about a month ago, and strongly urged that last season's train service for the conveyance of stock be resumed, or if that were impossible, that the Railway Department ameliorate the present unsatisfactory conditions. The Provincial Secretary has now received a reply from the Hon. W. H. Herries, Minister of Railways, stating that the Department is quite in sympathy with the request, but owing to a heavy depletion of the staff for military service, the train services have necessarily been curtailed. From the railway returns, the need for special provision for the stock traffic appears to be limited to one day a week, i.e., Tuesday, and on that day as a temporary measure, and during the height of the summer v season the Department will arrange to run a night train from Frankton JuncN tion to Auckland to take on the stock. The Minister, however, adds that as during the next two months a very heavy call will be made on the railway staff, it is questionable whether it will be possible to run the night train for more than a few weeks, as it entails a number of men being specially called out at stations en route, for night duty.