The Manawatu Times. SATURDAY, MAY 4, 1878.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 59, 4 May 1878, Page 2

The Manawatu Times. SATURDAY, MAY 4, 1878.

We have -written so much and so strongly upon the present working of the Wanganui-Foxton line^ that it is with the greatest reluctance we again revert to the subject. We, however, feel compelled to do so, but in dealing with the matter we shall as much as possible avoid expressing our opinions, and merely content ourselves with placing bare facts before the public and the head of the Department. During the management oE Mr Moinet, certain concessions were granted to settlers along the line, which were not; found to be detrimental to the working of the traffic, were calculated to develop the resources of the district, and returned a very considerable revenue to the Government. One of those settlers is a Mr Simpson,, who owns some two thousand acres of land, half way between Carnarvon and Groua Bridge. He has x spent over two thousand pounds on bis farm, and is prepared to spend another like sum, as it is his intention to go largely in(o the manufacture of cheese, of which he -guarantees that he will be able to turn, out over one ton per week. But although-; what Mr Simpson is prepared to do in the 'future should have! great weight, \what t! he iKas done in the past should have still greater, and when it is shown,: by the books of the Department that within : the 'past twelve months he has paid in freight considerably over one. hundred pounds, it must be conceded he can lay claim to some consideration. The concession granted by. Mr Moinefc was simply that when goods would require carriage either to or from Mr Simpson's place, the train would stop to eithertake or deliver it. For this privilege he had to pay increased mileage, inasmuch as if he were sending produce to Foxtoh he paid from Oroua Bridge —a distance of four miles farther —and if to Palmerston, he was.oharged from Carnarvon. Mr Simpson is in the awkward position that there is' no other means of getting goods to his house than the rail^ay^there being no road, nor no probability of one being made for years to come— -so that if railway communication be cut off, he: is absolutely marooned in the bush. With the advent of the new manager, Mr Rotheram, instructions were issued to the guards that ho stoppages should be made unless at stations and sidings, and consequently Mr Simpson was cut off at a moment's notice, and unfortunately at a time when he was having a builduig erected, and required timber and 6th6r material carried to him. In his difficulty he wrote to the General Manager of the line, and in reply received the following : — "Mr. C. Simpsok.— Sir,— rl have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your memo., and, in reply, I beg" to inform you that the practice of allowing trucks to stand on the main line cannot be allowed. If you desire to have a private siding put in at your place you can make application to J. T. Stewart, Esq., Construction Engineerj 9 n

the enclosed form, and I hare no doubt that if you are prepared to fufil the requirements, a siding will be put in. I will also forward your request to the Commissioner of Bail ways, and will communicate to you his deoision on the matter immediately after receipt. — W. Rotheram, General Manager." In compliance jwith the above he applied to Mr'J. T. Stewart, and from him learned that ihere waf no other Course than to apply for a siding, and on requesting to know if he complied • with the condition whether he would only be charged the proper mileage, he was informea that there would be ho change. It may* be femarlced" that Mr Bbtheram's letter infers that application .was mide to allow trucks to stand upon the line, but none such was ever sought, and we have been informed by Mr Simpson that on extraordinary occasions^ a' delay of some minutes to the goods' train is all .that would be needed. It maybe 'said that ho particular person should claim such an indulgence, but we differ from such opinion and hold that in,a new country it is not only the policy but the dutjr of the department to assist rentefprising settlers to develop the resources of the district. However, Mr Simpson, is only one of a number of- settlers who require a modification of. the new cast-iron rule, but as. the matter has been forwarded to .the-Com-missioner, we will defer further' remarks until learning his decision. We would merely suggest iii concluding, that it is one which should be promptly dealt with, as" every day's delay represents a considerable loss to Mr Simpson. ; ;-; ;,,,