The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. SATURDAY, FEB. 23, 1889.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2593, 23 February 1889, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

SATURDAY, FEB. 23, 1889.

Equal and exact ltisttce to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political.

In reply to our enquiries we received the telegram, published in another column, from Mr Hudson, District Manager of: the Auckland railways, in which he conveyed to us fuller information relative to the intended alterations in the Waikato train service. It in proposed, wu are told, to run daily a purely passenger train between Auckland and Hamilton. This train will leave Auckland at thirty-five minutes past nine o'clock in the morning and reach Hamilton at ten minutes past two, in time to connect with the trains on the branches which extend from Frank ton Junction. The down passenger train will leave Hamilton at fifty-five minutes past nine and reach Auckland at halfpast two in the afternoon. The journey up and down, therefore, in future will occupy a little over four hours and a half in place of six and ahalf, as at present, and without those annoying stoppages and interminable shuntings which have so long taxed the patience of travellers. To the business community who value economy of time, the amended service will be a great improvement and convenience, Waikato settlers and tradesmen will be afforded about three hours in town, in which to transact business or make appointments, and be able to return home on the following morning without incurring unnecessary expense and loss of time. In this respect the views of the deputation, who recently waited on Mr Maxwell at Hamilton, have been met. Special cattle trains are to run from Te Awamutu to Auckland on Mondays and Wednesdays, picking up stockby the other branch lines at Frankton Junction, and then going on right through to their destination without further delay, thus sparing the cattle, also, from the injury and other effects of frequent shuntings and stoppages. Improved cattle and sheep trucks are being prepared and will gradually replace those at present in uso. There will be a goods train from Auckland, which will leave at au earlier hour than the passenger train, and reach Erankton Juuctiou before it, in order to form connections with the present branch services. It ia not stated how often the goods train will be despatched, but we surmise it will not be oftener than twice a week. Indeed, were it found advisable on the score of economy, or that the amount of freight for tvausit justified it, the Waikato people as a whole would bo quite content with one goods train a week. The goods train from Hamilton to Auckland will follow the doparturo of the passouger train. These are the alterations which have been decided upon, and have been conceded in deference to the wishes of the settlers, as expressedby the Hamilton deputation. The train services on the branch lines south of Frankton Junction will remain unaltered, except so far that travellers from the feeding lines will participate iu the new quick passenger service, and in the increased facilities for cattle transit. We are glad to think that, so far, we have already done so well with the new Board of Commissioners; and if they will deal as favourably with the representations made on the question of a reasonable reduction in the freights and faros, there will be a very considerable diminution of the feeling of dissatisfaction entertained in this part of the colony towards the Railway Department and its policy. These latter points, no doubt, require to be taken into more serious consideration as touching on the financial aspect of the whole system ; but, as we have been so distinctly assured that it is the fixed intention of the Commissioners to study the interests of settlement, we may feel encouraged, by what has already been granted, that the Board will in due time find they can make some concessions of a similar favourable character as regards freights and fares.