NOT VERY COURTEOUS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 August 1938, Page 6

NOT VERY COURTEOUS

DEPARTMENT AND TRUCKING YARDS OBSERVATIONS BY MAYOR. SUGGESTED CHANGE OF SITE. “They are not going to alter the site without first discussing the matter with us —not if I know anything about it,” remarked the Mayor, Mr T. Jordan, in the course of a discussion at last night’s meeting of the Masterton Borough Council on the trucking yards at the Masterton Railway Station.

In a letter to the council the General Manager of Railways, Mr G. H. Mackley, stated: —“I desire to inform you that my inquiry into this matter discloses that the prolonged spell of wet weather of late has in no small measure adversely affected the condition of these yards, but with a view of improving the position, arrangements have been made for some remetalling work to be undertaken, also for the yards to Be cleaned out twice weekly. “I may also say that some difficulty has been experienced in disposing of refuse from the stock wagons, but suitable arrangements have now been made to overcome this. With the improvements now in hand and the additional cleaning, it is fully anticipated that these measures will prove effective, but the position will be closely watched and any further measures round necessary will be taken.” Mr Jordan recalled that at its last meeting the council decided to ask the Railways Department to send an officer up to discuss the condition of the yards on the spot with borough officers. Although reference was made in the Press to a visit to Masterton of representatives of the Department the council had not' been communicated with in the matter. On Monday the Town Clerk sent a telegram to Wellington and the General Manager replied yesterday. “It was not very courteous of them,” added Mr Jordan, “and I think we should express regret that an opportunity- was not provided for’officers of the borough to discuss the yards on the spot with representatives of the department and to express the hope that' if another conference were held in Masterton that opportunity be then provided.

“The question is that trucks are being brought into Masterton from Waingawa to be scraped.” Councillor W. White: “That is correct. From Opaki and other places too.”

Councillor R. Russell: “I see that there is a suggestion about altering the site of the yards.” Mr Jordan: “They are not going to alter the site without first discussing the matter—not if I know anything about it. The least the Department could have done was to let our officers, who have been finding fault with the yards and who might be able to offer helpful advice, have an opportunity of discussing the matter.”. A motion along the lines of the Mayor’s remarks is to be forwarded to the Railways Department.