THE FOXTON BRANCH RAILWAY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4480, 19 July 1930, Page 4

THE FOXTON BRANCH RAILWAY.

MEETING OF FARMERS AT RANGIOTU. OPPOSITION TO CLOSING. More support for the Fox ton railway was urged at a large meeting- of farmers and representative's of the business community held at Rangiotu on Wednesday evening for the purpose of considering- what evidence .should be advanced before the ltoyal Commission set up to investigate the railway system. Misgivings as to the Railway Department’s intentions with regard to the h’oxton line were somewhat allayed, as it was stated that the traffic over this line could not be dealt with by a curtailed service. The meeting- decided to lake steps to secure information supporting the continuance of the existing service, and to ascertain if belter arrangements could not. be arrived at between the Railway Department and the dairy companies concerning the inducements given lor railway transportation.

DEFINITE CASE WANTED. Mr W. H. Gimblett presided. Others present included Messrs W. E. Barber (chairman of the Mnnawatu County Council), M. E. Perreau (Mayor of Foxton), M. A. Eliott (Palmerston North Borough Council), R. Rangilieua (secretary of the Foxton Harbour Board), N. Campbell (president of the Dairy Farmers’ Union), H. Wilton, W. B. Crook, H. H. Simmons, F. C. Ilaikes, E. Russell, J. H. Duncan, D. Tennant, R. M. White (Mangawhata Dairy Co.), H. Bond (Bainesse Dairy Co.)', E. Bond (Rangiotu Co.), M. Rmhardson (Tiakitahuna, D. G. Aloorc (Reliance Co.), E. P. Nielsen, N. P. Nielsen, 1 H. Millard, A. A. Alsop, S. Graham, M. J. Ryan, J. McSeveney, A. Jacobsen, Shaw, R. E. Dixon and F. J. Legg (secrteary). The chairman stated that all were aware that the traffic on the FoxtonPalmerston North line, with other similar branch railway services throughout the Dominion, was under serious consideration by the Royal Commission, and was in danger of being closed down or considerably modified. Motor transport might give a mercantile service but could not cope with the facilities required by farmers. Was it possible for them to do without the railway and would motor transport provide an efficient service? Other alternatives to the present facilities were a one-day railway service or a modification of the existing time-table. The meeting had been called to discuss any information available and to have a definite case to submit to the Commission.

NO INFORMATION AVAILABLE

The Mayor of Foxton (Mr Perreau) stated that difficulty had been experienced in securing figures- from the Railway Department, which .was no doubt not interested in supplying the information sought, lie did not think for one moment that it was the intention of the Government to stop a service which was serving a large community, and carrying the 11.00 or 1200 tons of merchandise which arrived at Foxton each month, in addition to hemp, while the line was required for the transport of coal, timber, etc. He had to confess that lie was in the dark as to -what information the Railway Department wanted. Mr Gimblett stated that steps had been taken to secure information from the department, but without avail. Retrenchments in the service were contemplated, and tho yhad been given to understand that the Foxton line was not a paying proposition. Air Barber, chairman of the Alanawatu County Council, stated that the tramway, serving the Foxton railway line, carried heavy traffic. Last year goods handled comprised 377 tons of grain, 327 tons, of minerals, coal and coke, 533 tons of manures, 533 tons of merchandise, 1114 crates of cheese, 3fi9 cans of cream, 454 trucks of sheep, 24 trucks of pigs, 43 trucks of posts, 23,000 super, feet of timber, 400 bales of wool, 1711 crates of eggs, and 1311 other trucks of goods. An amount ol £5335 13s 4d was paid to the Railway Department for toll and haulage, etc., while hiring of wagons, sheets, payment for coal, etc., cost a iurtlier £IOOO.

Mr Barber added that lie had every sympathy with the movement being made. He did not think the Foxton line was run economically and he considered that the service could be improved. The railway received great benefit from the Foxton port, which was surrounded by an area of good country. All should make strenuous efforts to keep tlie service functioning. He stated that £30,000 had been invested by tho ratepayers in tlie Sandon tramway, and if the Foxton railway was closed the former would be used practically only for carrying meta I.

Air Legg asked if it was not a fact that in the summer tho goods traffic from Foxton was so heavy that it required two trains a day, each being as much as an engine could draw.

Air Barber said t-lie traffic was exceptionally heavy at times, especially when hemp was being carried. Mr Gimhlett stated that tlie Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce had sought information front the General Manager of Railways without result.

FORTY TRUCKS WEEKLY

Air Perreau stated that over forty trucks a week left the shipping at Foxton for Palmerston North and one train a day could not cope with the service. Any curtailment should he strongly opposed.

Mr Gimhlett stated that the conservative policy ol the railways did jioot encourage traffic and no inducements were offered to the daily companies to use the line, because of prohibitive rates. That matter should he brought before the Commission. Air Eliott said that the Palmerston North Borough Council had not discussed the question in the absence, of information concerning the working costs of the line. Personal inquiries among Palmerston North merchants had disclosed that class “JO” goods,, such as grain, etc., could he brought from Foxton cheaper by rail' than by motor, being 12s fid to 15s a ton dilference, hut unfortunately other classes of goods could he carried more cheaply and more expeditiously by lorry. There would he im question ol curtailing the serveie if it was not for the motor competition, which lelt all the profitable goods for railway transportation. If the service was cut out, the cheaper class of goods shipped from Lyttelton would he diverted through \Ynngainii to tiie railway, thus prejudicing the Foxton port, which fed a large'distributing centre. Unless more traffic was sent over the railways, the department had justification lor considering a reduced service. Support must be forthcoming from farmers and merchants. Probably, goods trains only would he run in future, as the passenger service was negligible. All would object to the total elimination of the service, hut the Government must he commended for “cutting” its losses. Peonle had to support the railways. Air Eliott suggested that evidence to be placed before the Commission be drawn up fay Alessrs Gimhlett and Perreau for presentation to the Board of Inquiry. Provided the line could be made barely to pay expenses even, Air Eliott said lie understood the railway service would still he. .continued. “Tlie dairy companies have not had a proper deal from the railways, stated Mr Gimblett. He added that this was the reason why the traffic was going over tho road.

POSITION OF DAIRY COMPANIES.

Mr LI. Bond stated that the Bainesse Company had been one of the last to leave the railway after being told practically that it did not know its business. Because a truck could not he filled with five tons of cheese, the company had been forced to pay on a per toil basis, and a. three ton minimum had been refused. Alotor transport was taking Lite company's produce to Wanganui now at 2s fid a tou cheaper, while coal was being carried at equitable rules. Bainesse had been expected to stand for £450 or £SOO for the cost of a siding ill addition to rent amounting to £SO per annum. Mismanagement was attributed by Mr Beard (Pyke’s Road) as the reason for the failure of the Fox Lon line to pay. Difficulty in getting produce to the railhead enlailed an additional cost of us per tun. Sidings had been declined unless an undertaking was given to pay a rental oi £SO per year. Capitalised, that meant an outlay of £IOOO. Mr l>. G. Moore (Reliance Company) stated that his co-directors wore seriously considering abandoning tlie railway service tins season in favour of motor transportation. Produce could he taken to Wellington more cheaply and better by the lorries than by the railway. Air Richardson (Tiakitahuna) stated that his company had always supported the railways and would probably continue to do so. Air Gimhlett stated that he did not think cheese was detrimentally affected by the longer time occupied in railway transport to Wanganui. There were four or five fairly large factories adjacent to the railway and if the Government would meet tho motor competition on an equitable basis, he felt sure all would he prepared to send their produce over the rail. Mr H. H. Simmons stated that 800 tons of cheese at £1 per ton meant £BOO revenue to ithe railways. The department was looking for service and should be prepared Lo meet the factories. ; It would involve no extra cost. Air White stated that the Munguwliata Company lrad'saved 6s.per ton on 400 tons by motor transport. That was a big consideration, although the company was sympathetic towards the railways. Mr Ilaikes said that the Oroua Downs Company, had had no option hut to use motor transport owing to the advantages of cheaper cost and quicker transport. Air Bond stated that motor transport to Wanganui occupied three hours, compared with fifteen by rail.

LOOKING TO FUTURE

‘AH N. Campbell stated that companies had to take more than a transient view of the situation. They might, save a few shillings to themselves, hut what of the general aspect? The Awalutri Company had conscientiously supported the railways. Savings effected in motor transport went in taxation to meet railway deficits. They had to look to the future and not to the immediate gain. They should endeavour to ciom-e to an arrangement lo send all their produce over the line, instead of leaving merely tire “rough stuff” to the railways. General endorsement of this viewpoint was expressed by the meeting. The chairman stated that- Air Campbell's argument was a very forcible 01 Mr Campbell stated that tlmse shipping through skleports such as WnnganTii were riding on tho hacks of those who forwarded produce direct to Wellington. . Air Wilton stated that, if the Government would cater for flic settlers better, it would receive more support. , Mr Ilaikes pointed out that ll the service were done away with all the poultry fanners would he penalised as it would cost too niiieli to get food from Wanganui hv motor. Freight on manure from Wanganui to his station cost 7s 4d per ton. That could not he done under £1 per ton by lorries. The Sandon train Hue was dependent on the Foxton line and was of great service to the settlers. It was" a, better proposition than what it appeared on paper. Closing of tho Foxton line would make useless the capital expenditure of £20.000 at the port for snipping. His district was one of tire biggest egg supplying areas in New Zealand, owing to the cheap landed cost of foods from Lyttelton. Mr Ilaikes agreed with a statement I,v Air Legg to the effect that if the railway was closed the motor lorries would increase their transport rates. Mr Dixou expressed surprise that the Railway Department had made available no information concerning the line considering that advice had been received in other quarters that a big saving would he effected by a curtailed service. Children used tlie train to travel to secondary schools at 'Palmerston North and would he penalised by late arrival by motors. The farmers should not lose the facilities provided for the/ cheap transport of lime and manures. Alotor enterprise would exploit any monopoly which was gained. It had been stated that merchants would suffer the loss if the line was closed, hut it would he the farmer who could not pass on the charges. Furthermore, motor transport required greater road maintenance.

Air Perreau stated that the £SOO loss alleged on operations along the line could be made up upon cheese alone. He urged a preferential tariff on the Foxton line similar to that conceded to Wanganui. The Foxton line was not given a great deal of consideration in the way ol special freight rates, lie said. (Substitution of' lorries for the railway would increase the cost of living for a large population. Mr Eliott said it was a pity that a representative of the Railway Department was not present to hear the reasons why the railway traffic was not supported. TRAFFIC FOR LINE.

Air Gimhlett said he did not think that the Railway Department realised the growing extent of the district "which the Foxton 'line served. Last veilr a tremendous number of pigs was Collected from the farmer by lorry. That was a potential source of revenue lost to the railways. There was room for considerable extension ol the service to meet the requirements ol the district.

Mr Perreau suggested that Alessrs Eliott and Legg should bring forward a comprehensive statement for submission to tlie Government concerning the Foxton line.

Mr Barker stated that the Manawatu County found maintenance costs irksome owing to increased motor traffic. He suggested that companies should send their produce by rail to Wellington instead of by motor to Wanganui. Mr Ryan stated that he understood the loss'on the Foxton li no was £SOO a month, instead of a. year. Air Simmons said the line was a paying proposition fifteen or twenty years ago and there was no reason why il should not he so now. Once it was tlie best paying branch line in tho Dominion and would he again if tire department met the requirements ol the farming comm unity with reasonable, freight rates. On tlie motion of Air N. P. Nielsen, a committee consisting of Messrs Barber. Raikes, Eliott, Gimblett and Perreau was appointed to prepare evidence for submission to tlie commission.

“Things are very unsatislactory at present. There as no working arrangement with the department at all,” said Air Gimhlett, who suggested a conference between the dairy companies and railway representatives. Air Perreau supported tlie proposal and recommended that it be embodied in the sub-committee’s report. Air Barber stated that the Railway Department had secured the transport of hemp by giving a reduced price on a twelve months’ contract. The dairy companies could take similar action. Air Bond stated that his company was .at present hound by contract to motor service. Moved by Mr Beard and seconded by Mr Simmons, the following resolution was then passed:

“That the Railway Department meet the combined dairy companies

along the Foxton line in conference • with a view to coming to a better arrangement with regard to the output of the dairy companies concerned, and freight on their produce.” Air Campbell congratulated the Rangiotu branch of the Dairy Farmers’ Union on securing such a representative meeting. The chairman was accorded a very heartv vote of thanks. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs M. 11. Oram, P. J. Small and Brook-Tay-lor.