WAIRARAPA TRAIN SERVICE

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10590, 23 March 1912, Page 5

WAIRARAPA TRAIN SERVICE

AND THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. At the monthly meeting of the Council of the Masterton Chamber of Commerce yesterday afternoon, the report of the sub-committee appointed to inquire into the Wairarapa train service, contained tJhe following suggestions:— (1) That the train leaving .Wellington at 7.46 a.m., and Masterton at 11.43 a.m., arriving at Woodville at 2.20 p.m., be timed to arrive at Woodville five or ten minutes earlier, to ensure connection with, the Auckland uu express, leaving Palmerston North at 3.25 p.m.; (2) That the goods train leaving Master-ton for Woodville at 4 p.m. be converted into a .passenger train, if not every day, at leas,t on Wednesdays and Saturdays; (3) -ne Auckland down express arrives at Palmerston North at 12.30 p.m. If a train left Palmerston for Woodville at 12.40 p.m. (instead of at 1.23 p.m. as at present), arriving at 1.40 p.m., and if the Napier-Mas-iterton-Wellington train (now leaving Woodville at 1.20 p.m.) left at 1.50 p.m.,' Wairarapa passengers could come right through, from Auckland. Such a change would mean starting the -train; from Napier at 8.20 a.m., instead.of at 8.50 as at present,'and it would have to make the journey ill 30.minutes less; thaii at present,,to reach',Wellington at 7.40 p.m., which would be the latest convenient hour to secure connection with the Lyttelfton boat. If the changes indicated should be found impracticable, the ! alternative is an extra train from [ Woodville to Masterton.

Mr A. Henderson (President), referring to the report, said that the present state of the train service in the Wairarapa was considerably hindering the business of Masterton and the lower parts of the Wairarapa. He thought that it was time something iwas done, as the present system was deplorable, and he also thought that the matter should be brought before the members for Pahiatua, Masterton' and Wairarapa, as they would be able to bring the matter before tho House, which was the only way that redress would be granted. • . Mr J. Caselberg thought a deputation should be appointed, to include •the three members for the districts, •which were concerned, aaid wait upon tthe Minister for Railways (when appointed), and lay the case taifore him. Something definite should certainly be done ,and it was only by having a representative deputation that good results could be expected. Mr O. E. Daniell said that the present service was disgraceful, and that while they received every courtesy from tho Iceal railway officials, they were entirely ignored by the authorities at headquarters. He thought it was the deliberate policy of the Government to ignore the demands of Masterton for the improvement of the railway service, and to have a service as slow as possible. At present it. was impossible for a person from the Lower Valley to travel to Paknerston and back in one day. People from a distance having business to do in the Wairarapa found that if they wished to get there and back in anything like reasonable time, ' the only way was by means of motor car. Of course the effect of this was to keep people away from the district, except in cases of necessity. He thought that a deputation would not do much good at present, and suggested the co-operation of the whole district to bring the matter before the Minister of Railways, when he was appointed.

Mr G-. C. Summerell said it was time some active steps were taken to improve the present service, and the report of the sub-committee was on the right lines. Mr A. T. Spain moved that the report be adopted and forwarded to the General Manager of Railways for consideration . .Mr Henderson seconded the motion, which was carried.