LOCAL RAILWAY MATTERS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 3, 28 January 1909, Page 2

LOCAL RAILWAY MATTERS.

ilt is gratifying to learn that the RailIway Department ,is not after all going •to "disturb the present mail train nr- . rangements between New 'Plymouth ami ■Wellington. Whilst in Xcw l'lyinouth last evening, the Minister (Hon. U. A. Jlillnr) imparted this information, stating that this line unci 'tile Alain Trunk would he run quite 'independently of eaeli other as two hcrviccs. In the course of a conversation, he gave uttcranee to views 'which we have before expressed in regard to the ell'eet of the inauguration 'of the Main Trunk serviee on the New ll'lvmoutb-WeHinglon section, lie stilted' he was tumble to see how the -Main Trunk line wouhl get mueli Auckland •trullic from Wangaimi and northwards, 'though he was sensible of the fact that 'for a vear or so iiuuiv people, even front !.\cw Plymouth, would travel to Auckland by rail. being tempted for the most 'part bv the novelty of the journey. 'After 'lhat lie. thought this serviee Iwonhl hold its own. We will not be Surprised if the novelty of the new trip docs not wear oil' before a year or so. We. know this, lhat many of those who liave .made the long, weary, comfortless Ijnurnev have no desire to repeat the ex'periem'c. Of eour.se the present Main Trunk service is not complete anil leaves 'much to be desired, but even when the 'proper service is inaugurated, we are Misposed to think, that no more than can 'help it will use that means of reaching 'Auckland. What would help to popularise the .New Plymouth .service is the reMuelion of the present steamer passenger fare between. New Plymouth and •llucluniga. Were this done, we are convinced the service, would easily hold its '.own with the Main Trunk. We hope !the. companies concerned will lose no kimc in recognising and meeting the •position. Mr. Okey look occasion, of •the opportunity lo bring before the Min•ister lite mutter of the excessive freight 'charges between Sew Plymouth and the ■port. Mr. Millar was evidently surprised at the nature of the impost upon imports through New Plymouth and seein<'d scarcely able to credit the fact that ■goods can be railed more cheaply front ■the ship to Inglewood than from the ■ship to the New Plymouth goods shed, 'lie intimated his intention of visiting 'New Plymouth in iilmut three weeks' 'time, when he would go into the mat •ter. The present charges are as iinjus' 'as thev are licavv. Thev have all'celei 'trade prcttv considerable in Hie past ■and. unless inodiliod. will hamper trad, even more in the future. Such an over 'ivheliningly strong case can be. madi ■out for the removal of the. incubus tlia 'we have no doubt that when, the Minis Iter is apprised of the real facts he wil not rest satisfied until an alteration i: ■made. There are other matters tha anight prolilably he brought under Ihi •Minister's notice. We allude to the tin 'provenienl. ill the local train services 'namclv, the running of an earlier trait •From Stratford to New Plymouth, am •oF a later outward train from Xev IPlvniouth in the .evening, particular!; 'on' Saturdays. This might lie cllccted •as was pointed out to the Distric M'rallic Manager when he was in Xev IPlynioulh a few months ago, withou extra cost, by re-arranging the presen service. The new Minister for Railway 'seems determined to make himself con Versant with the conditions and re L .|uireinents of the general railway ser ■vice, ami in »o doing is going the righ ',va.y to make, a siiccc, of his adiiiinistra •l,ioii of this important brunch .of tin •public service. We feel sure that Tarn Inaki's rei|uirements, rca.-omtblc as I he; 'undoubtedly arc, will receive, from liin 'the consideration to which they me en titled, a consideration, we. are sorry H say, they have not received in tin past.