THE RAILWAYS.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 May 1921, Page 8

THE RAILWAYS.

GENERAL MANAGER AT STRATFORD VARIOUS MATTERS DISCUSSED. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Stratford, May 24. Mr. R. W. McVilly, General Manager of Railways, accompanied by several officers of the Railway Department, arrived at Stratford this morning by special train from New Plymouth. A large and representative deputation afterwards waited on Mr. McVilly and placed before him a number of requests in regard to railway matters affecting Stratford and district. The Mayor (Mr. J. W. McMillan) extended a welcome to Mr. McVilly and party, and expressed the pleasure of the townspeople that Air. McVilly had been able to again visit Stratford and hear their representations. Mr. McMillan said he desired first of all to take the opportunity of thanking Mr. McVilly for what he had done for the town in regard to the railway leases. Mr. Mc- ' Villy had promised to give a good lease and that promise had been fulfilled, and he (Mr. McMillan) desired to congratulate him on the very good sales made and the handsopie revenue which the Department would receive. When the proposed street went through from Broadway to Juliet Street, added Air. McMillan, the Railway Department would own the most valuable part of the town, because as the town progressed the business portion would extend into Juliet Street. “We would, of course, like to own the'town ourselves,” remarked Air. McMillan, “but as we can’t get it, we hope and believe the Railway Department will prove a godd landlord.” Continuing, Air. McMillan said that the last time Air. McVilly had been in Stratford they had discussed with him , the question of shifting the railway station. The Department had afterwards decided to shift it south, and the town had unanimously agreed with that decision. It was due to the town that they should, if possible, come to a decision that day, so that property owners, who were now unsettled, would know if they could go on with the erection of buildings in that locality or not. The property owners did not at present know the requirements of the Department in the matter, and they desired to be informed as early as possible.

MAIL TRAIN SERVICE. Mr. J. B. Richards, president of the Stratford Chamber of Commerce, referred to the speeding up of the express services. AL Richards said his Chamber urged that the service should be speeded up, but they held the view that the most important factor was that the alterations should ensure better connection with thp ferry service and other connections. Since the opening of the Mjain Trunk line, the connection with tjie ferry service was anything but satisfactory, and on many occasions it was impossible to connect going down, and ’it seldom happened that anyone could catch the train coming back. This was a distinct disadvantage to passengers, and involved delays in mails. Therefore the chamber hoped that the speeding up of the mail trains would be done in such a manner that connection with the ferry services would be absolutely assured. Another matter which the Chamber desired to bring to Air. McViUy’s notice was the delay in getting delivery of Consignments through New Plymouth. This matter had doubtless been brought to Air. McVilly’s notice at New Plymouth the previous day, but he submitted that the people of New Plymouth would not feed the disadvantages so much as those in Stratford. Local business people had complained to the chamber fnd asked him to see if something could be done. Whenever complaints had been made the delays had invariably been traced to lack of sufficient shed accommodation at New Plymouth. They had no complaint whatever against the officials in New Plymouth, because the consignees of goods at New Plymouth assured them that the officials gave them every consideration. Another matter to bo brought to Mr. McVilly’s notice was the train service between Stratfor J and Kohuratahi, and h? understood that Air. N. R. Cleland, chairniMp of the Whangamomona County Councif, and Air, W. L. Kennedy, of Tahora. were coming to Stratford to discuss that- matter with Air. McVilly. Whatever representations they made, added Air. Richards, would have the support and co-operation of the Chamber of Commerce.

AIR. McVILLY’S REPLY.. Air. McVilly, in repjy, said, in regard to the station alterations, the plans had engaged quite a lot of consideration, and one of the purposes of his visit that day was to inspect the site again before finally deciding what would be done. They had to have a look at Juliet Street, and he was sorry that he could not at present give a definite reply regarding the opening of the street. What he bad said previously, however, still stood; the Department recognised the Urgency- of the work and would put it in hand as quickly as possible. Dealing with the speed of the mail trafus, Mr. McVilly replied on the lines of his remarks at New Plymouth, pointing out that the only way of getting an improvement was by cutting out a number of stopping places. The Department had for years been opposed to increasing the number of stopping places, but each small centre wanted every train to stop there. From the railway point of view-that was wrong in principle, but as long as the people of New Zealand insisted on the Department stopping mail trains every few miles, it would be utterly impossible to speed up the trains. As far as he was concerned he would be only too glad to cut opt all the unimportant stops. The Department spent hundreds of pounds annually in providing local train* to suit the convenience of the smaller places, and would do more in this direction, but it could not .always get sufficient car-

Referring to the difficulties in getting delivery of goods from New Plymouth, Air. ALVillv said the Department fully recognised the difficulties, but the tremble was how to meet those difficulties. To do so they would Jujve to provide additional sidings and mufp shed room, but the New Plymouth station was in an awkward position, inasmuch that it | was built on the edge of the sea, and no more flat land was available unless it could be reclaimed. He had discussed with the Harbor Board the matter of getting additional land for station accommodation, and hoped to be able to overcome the present difficulty. Most of the goods traffic was and this was responsible to a large extent fop $$ fact that goods often came to

hand in separate lots. He Was anxious to do all that was possible regarding delivery of goods, as he desired that the clients of the Department should receive the best service possible under the circumstances. As far as the Kohuratahi time-table was concerned, be suggested that their representations should be addressed to 'Mr. Harris, the traffic manager at Wanganui, who would do what he could in the matter.

VISIT TO INGLEWOOD. RAILWAY REQUIREMENTS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Inglewood, May 24. Mr. McVilly and party stopped at Inglewood this morning on their way from New Plymouth to Stratford. A deputation representing the Inglewood Chamber of Commerce (Messrs. G. H. Hutton, ,F. Spurdie, A. E. Surrey and J. G. Sutherland), described to the General Manager how the trade of the district, and the consequent business at the railway station, had increased immensely and completely outgrown the accommodation provided, which had not been added to or improved for upwards of twenty years. Under existing conditions the local station staff was handicapped for lack of proper convenience, as also were consignees, especially those receiving perishable goods, which frequently, for lack of shed room, had to be handled outside. The district had been well aware, for a long time, that alterations and improvements were urgently required, but first it had been hoped that the Department must sec for itself how needful these were, apd carry them out, without having to have their attention drawn to them by nonexpert outsiders. After the war broke out it was felt such matters must remain in abeyance, and nothing had been said while the war lasted. But now the deputation was convinced that there was good cause and just ground to expect compliance with their requests. Air. AlcVilly assured the deputation that the facts they had stated, and the views they had put forward, would be carefully considered, and he hoped to be able to report favorably on the whole matter at an early date.