Excursions to the Beach.

Manawatu Herald, 29 September 1898, Page 3

Excursions to the Beach.

♦ INTERVIEW WITH THE RAILWAY MANAGER. Last night the Town Clerk received a telegram from Mr Buxton stating that he would be in Foxton this morning, and would be glad to meet the people on the subject of excursions. This is in reply to a resolution passed by the Borough Council on the ist of August, and was as follows : — " That the | Traffic Manager of the Wanganui Railway section be requested to come to Foxton at an early date to make arrangements with the owners of the steamers trading on the river to run ' excursions to the Ocean Beach in connection with the railway during the coming season." A number of the business men assembled at the Library at 10 o'clock this morning to meet Mr Buxton, and j on the proposition of Mr Westwood, Mr Thynne took the chair. .Mr Thynne explained to Mr Buxton < that the .people were desirous of ex- ! cursion trains being run from up-coun- \

try on the Wednesday half-holidays, arranged so that the excursionists could have one ticket at a cheap rate to travel to the beach and back. The idea would be that the train should leave Palmerston at i o'clock, run down in an hour and a quarter, and leave at 7 o'clock or a little later. Mr Buxton who apologized for the delay in acting upon the resolution of the Council, owing to his having been ill and many of his staff having also been ill, appeared to thorougly understand what was wanted. After considerable conversation the matters were arranged thus: — Mr Buxton would lay all the proposals favourably before the department. He would propose, if sufficient inducement appeared likely and he led one to hope that a trial trip or two would at anyrate be made, to run a train from Palmerston at one o'clock, the hour of returning being left open, so that a good three or four hours would be secured to the excursionists on the beach. The fare for adults to bs 2s 6d return, children half price, this sum to include the steamers fares of one shilling. He would consider as to the stopping of the excursion trains at the Lady's Mile road. Mr Thynne further suggested an alteration in the time table for Monday morning, making the time of the train leaving at eight o'clock, so that the heads of families visiting the beach would be able to spend the Sunday and get to their business in good time on Monday morning Mr Buxton thought there would be bo objection to concede this and possibly the alteration will take effect .from the ist of November. Mr Buxton promised to send a reply at an early date on all these questions. A hearty vote ot thanks was passed to Mr Buxton and then the meeting broke up.