RAILWAY MATTERS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 212, 7 March 1914, Page 3

RAILWAY MATTERS.

MINISTER .AT LEVIS. PROTECTING RAILWAY CROSSINGS. i FOXTOXi WTIAIIF. By Telegraph—Press Association. Levin, Thursday. The Minister of Railways visited Levin to-day and received deputations from the Chamber of Commerce regarding railway facilities, the acquisition from the Government of Foxton wharf, and other local matters. The Minister, in reply, intimated that, j the new General Manager of Railways was considering the whole question of expediting the train services on the Main Trunk line, including the question of having the Auckland express stop at Levin. Dangerous level crossings at railways were also heing investigated. The Minister said he was not favorably impressed with tiie suggestion to have gates erected, as the general public were, he thought, averse to that plan, but he believed it would be practicable in some cases to have electric alarm Mis operated at such crossings from railway stations. Inspecting the Foxton wharf, he thought its acquisition could be secured if a spirit of reasonableness were shown. The Railway Department had already fixed its selling price. lie did not think the Department could, as suggested by the deputation, accept time payments in lieu of cash. Legislation to permit that course would bo essential. He suggested that, with a view to expediting the acquirement of the wharf from the Government, the Harbor lioard should first take a poll of the ratepayers—yi.a or nay—and, failing this, there would be the probability of objections being raised when the Bill was'before Parliament, and a proviso for the taking of ouch a poll he added to the Bill.