The Manawatu Times. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1878.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 96, 11 September 1878, Page 2

The Manawatu Times. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1878.

The new time-table for the WanganuiManawatu line, which is to come into operation on next Monday, is now before us,, and we must compliment the General Manager upon the masterly manner m which- he has studied the convenience of the counties of Rangitikei and-"W_nganui, to the total ignoring of the Lower Manawatu. In the programme set down, Foxton is henceforth to be neither an importer nor and exporter, and there is to be but one port between Wellington and Wanganui. In our innocence we wero led to suppose that, when a goods train proper was placed upon the line, the passenger train would make the trip through from Wanganui to Foxton m about four hours, and travellers from Halcombe, Feilding, and Palmerston would reach Foxton. two hours before midday. What are the actual facts under the new arrangement. Instead of arriving at ten t in the morning, or even at ' 12.20 as at present, the first train will not reach its destination^^' 1.18 -m the afternoon. Now let us calmly review the manner m which Wanganui and Foxton will be benefitted by the proposed table. One train leaves the "formor plaoe' at 6.45 m the morning, a second leaves at 11;S5 a.m., and a third at 4.15 p.m. So far for the- down trains. Now for the up-trains to the same- place. One arrives at 10.20 a.m., a second at 1.20 p.m.; and a third at 10.5 p.m. I So that it will be seen travellers can depart or arrive at morning, noon and night. Now for the accommodation and convenience accorded Ito Foxton. The morning train from Wanganui leaves at 6.15 as already shown, and arrives m th?' afternoon ; the second, which leaves about midday — which we presume is to be the goods train — goes no farther than-Paln*erston, where it remains for half an hour, when it returns as far as Halcombo, but goes no farther that night. It however, starts awajr from that place at 7.30 m the morning, and reaches Wanganui, as we have said, at 10.20. What is the supposition to be derived from such an arragement — that m the opinion of the General Manager there is no necessityto run a goods train to -Foxton ; that the fishermen of Wanganni will spread their nets as far as Palmerston, and all and everything between the two places, shoild be hauled up upon the northern shore. Foxton is to be totally ignored as a port ; it is to have no'provision for its timber traffic, and tho iron horse will come as far as Palmerston, and return' laden with spoil, leasing its unlucky rival out m the ojld. It may be said that the passenger train will pick up what is to be taken to , Foxton; but why should travellers be delayed on the' journey, and the lower end of this County completely ostracised, because the General Manager wishes to play into tho hands of the people amongst whom he is a resident? We have had occasion to .condemn Mr Rotheram's unjust treatment of Manawatu, but all he has done m the past sinks into insignificance when .compared*, with this barefaced partiality to one, and injustice to another, section of his charge. By this last action, he seems determined to defy criticism, and reprobation; and has completely thrown justice and equity overb"ard. As well — nay far better — might theKin_r of the Cannibal Islands be dubbed manager of this section of the line ; for while the one would be passive, the other seems determined to build up Wanganui on the ruins of its rival. Of course, as might have been expected, the two Wanganui journals join i s te for once, sink all local differences, and vie With each other m belauding the architect of thh gi-a'id scheme. From the -colnnins of one we have mado the following extract, which— a i a specimen of cool presumption— deserves .to be rescued from oblivion :—" lt will be noticed that the mid-day- train from Wanganui only runs as far as Palmerston, that being considered all Ihatis warranted at present j besides wluoli,

to run right through would involve an outlay that would not be justified by any anticipated returns. The new service will .require an additional set of five men — a driver, fireman, guard, ticket seller, and cleaner— and another engine; but to run to Foxton and back with the second train from Wanganui would require two additional sets of men, and three more engines. As it is, the 4.3 train to Palmerston will do all tho shunting, carry on and bring back the timber waggons, thus clearing the line for the through trains. Returning to Halcombe at 6 o'clock iii the evening, it leaves for Wanganui at 7.30 the next morning, arriving m town at 10.20, thus giving reasonable time for the settlers and traders m the Manawatu and Rangitikei to come m and transact their business." The above inspiration is no doubt drawn from the fountain-head, Mr Rothebam, and we would like to ask him through our contemporary, how can he justify his assertion — -"that to run to Foxton and back with the second train from Wanganni would require two additional sets of men and three more engines?" We have shown the defects of the table ; now we proceed to show how those could, and should, be remedied. Let the first passenger train start from Wanganui at six m the morning as at present, running at proper speed, taking no goods, and reaching Foxton shortly after ten; despatch the goods train an hour later, and let it go through to Foxton, where it will arrive at about halfpast one. The waggons could be all prepared, and after a delay of one hour it could resaine its return, and with two hours' start of the passenger train, might reach Wanganui so as to keep always m advance. In fact, to simplify the matter, all that would be necessary would be to start a goods train from Wanganui one hour after the first passenger train, and make its stoppage m Foxton but half an hour. We imagine Mr Rotheram's admitted ability would carry him over the not very difficult matter of siding the goods trains to let the passenger trains cross. By the inoveased speed which the first train from Foxton should possess by reason of the abolition of shunting, it should reach Wancanui at about 10.30, so as to give the Marton and Bulls people an opportunity to visit the first-named place as desired. Taking that whole arrangement we can see but two extra engines required at the most, — one to Foxton and a fresh one back, — and wo were led to suppose Mr Rothebam was already m possession of two new engines. This is an arrangement which could be carried out, and if the people of Foxton will allow the proposed table to come into force without taking action m the matter, they will deserve the ostracism to which they have been subjected.