RAILWAY MATTERS AT EKETAHUNA.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XIII, Issue 4224, 21 September 1892, Page 2

RAILWAY MATTERS AT EKETAHUNA.

(By Ow Special Bejmtcr.j

A meeting of the Vigilance Committee in connection with the agitation for better and. more convenient tram arrangements for Eketahuna, was held at Mr E, Ellislon's Boilway Hotel,- on Monday evening last. - Mr J, Jones was voted to tho chair ,ftnd explained the obj>etof the meeting'

On the motion of Mr Eli Smith, Mr D. H. Roberts was appointed secretary to the.Committee. The Chairman said that he had made enquiries, but had not been able to find out anything definite, although he had seen it' stnted in one of the papers that Borne alterations were to be made. - -

Mr A. Selby said thab it was, in his opinion, ridiculous to want to alter, the time for the train to leave Eketahuna to an. earlier hour. He would like to see it made later.

Mr Eli Smith pointed out that it was a committee meeting Tho committee was appointed by a public meeting with power to add to their number, Mr Selby was not one of the original Committee.

Mr Hodges proposed Mr Selby iib a member.

Mr Selby said he did not wish to become a member, as he was not in favor of agitating for a train to leave Eketahuna at six in the morning and not leave Masterton on the return journey until nino at night. He objected to hanain» about Masterton for five or six hours doing nothing. _ Mr Smith said that ho had interviewed Mr Joyce in Wellington siuce last meeting, and understood him to say that Mr Maxwell had promised the required alterations. With regard to what had been said that evening itgaiust the proposed alteration, lie thought the district did require it, and it woujd be a material benefit if Eketahuna,were made the terminus. The engine'depot at Masterton might then be dispensed with and this would be a distinct saving. Again much traffic which now went over the Man'awatu line would come this way, Mr Selby spoku strongly again6t the train starting earlier on Wednesdays. Personally be did not care, but could not see it would benefit the town.

Mr Hodges s«d that the Pahiatua people were unanimous in approving of Eketahuna being made the terminus.

Mr Jones said that, in reply to Mr Selby'a remarks regarding settlers not "sing the through train on Saturday was because it was a short day and all the business houses were closed. If they'waited till Monday they could not get back till Tuesday morning, Saturday was most unsuitable. People bad come down on several occasions, to his knowledge, and had been disappointed to find that the morning train from Eketahuna did not connect with the through train. He thought it high time that they made a movement to obtain the facilities afforded to other parts for travelling by rail. Mr Smith said that he had forgotten to remark that a petition had been signed by one hundred and twenty settlers, praying that the trains from 'Eketahuna be made to connect with the through.service. Mr Seiby said that he had signed that petition. He, however, objected to the "hole and corner way" in which things had,been done."' He knew nothing about the last meeting although there was plenty of time,to let everyone know.

Mr Jonea denied that the .proceedings were at all " hole and , corner," Mr Belby was quito mistaken.-. .

Mr Smith moved "that the secretary write to the Commissioners asking whether it was their intention to run a train from Masterton to Eketahuna on tbe evenings of the days on which i the train is proposed to leave Eketallmna, in time to connect with the Wellington through service, viz,, Monduys, Wednesdays and '.Thursdays, and whether if this concession is granted the Saturday trains will continue to run as at present." The motion was seconded by Mr Hodges and carried unanimously, Mr Smith then moved that the secretary write to Mr Job Vile, Mayor of Pabiatua and request him to call a public meeting with the object of testing the feeling of the Pabiatua people on the matter, and asking their assistance. Mr Hodges seconded the motion, and it was carried.

Mr Belby ]i(]( that it be suggested to the Commissioner that the Eketahuna train if permitted to connect with the through train start shortly after six, and the Masterton train be delayed a little, as it was the unanimous wish of tbe settlers. Mr Aulin said that it appeared to him that the whole community was to be ruled (according to Mr Selbyj by a fow settlers who wanted to go to Masterton to buy or Bell cattle, It would not mako any difference to Mr Selby or anyhody else if they had to get up ten minutes earlier, They had better get a little train of their own for sale days,

Mr Smith opposed suggesting a time-table, Let them first secure a train. Mr Roberts pointed out that afterwards they might get a market perbaps once a fortnight; Mr Smith moved that a copy of tbe resolution first moved be sent to the Member for the District asking him to use his best efforts to assist them, A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded tbe proceedings, and the meeting adjourned until a reply is received from the Commissioners,