NEW RAILWAY STATION

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19889, 19 May 1936, Page 9

NEW RAILWAY STATION

4 NEED AT FRANKTON. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OPINION. FREIGHT TO KING COUNTRY. The question of the freight on the railways between Hamilton and the King Country was again before the executive of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce at its monthly meeting last evening, when the president, Mr H. D. Caro, presided- Also present were Messrs J. R. Henderson, A. H. Tompkins, F. Beehan, K. Gilmour, and R. Challiner (secretary). Apologies for absence were received from Messrs F. Findlay and B. H- Andrews. The chairman remarked that he had received word from New Plymouth conveying the opinion that the Railway Department was seriously considering the matter, and that conferences had been held in New Plymouth and Wellington. He thought that the results of the deliberations would be announced in a short time. Several members commented on the increasing use of road services owing to the speedier handling and cheaper transport, but no action was taken. A reply to the Chamber’s letter to the Minister of Railways asking for a new station at Frankton Junction was received, the communication stating that the department was of the opinion that a new station was not necessary. Pointing out that on an average 110 trains a day passed through . Frankton Junction and that 150,000 tons of goods were handled each week, Mr Caro considered that the present station and facilities were ridiculous in proportion to the business conducted. Mr Tompkins agreed that the station and its facilities were a disgrace to a junction of such importance, and it was decided to write again to the Minister of Railways and Mr C. Barrell, M.P. for Hamilton, pointing out the pressing need for a new station. Post Office Deficiencies. The inadequate staffing of the Post Office counter between 12 noon ind 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. was mentioned by several members, who complained that between these hours there was often only one man on duty to attend to parcel posts, telegrams, bureaux and the like. This meant that there were usually several people waiting, often a quarter of an hour before they were attended to. The closing of the late-fee mail to Auckland at 8.45 p.m., when the train did not leave until 4.30 a.m. next day was also criticised, while it was the general opinion that the mail service was very unsatisfactory. It was pointed out that no mail could be cleared at all on Sunday, which meant that when overseas mail came down on Saturday afternoon it was not available until Monday morning. The late sorting of the north and , south mail In the mornings was also attacked, and it was considered that these were matters for the Chamber to inquire into. In the meantime it was resolved to write the Chief Postmasler asking him to see that an adequate staff was on duty at the main counter between 12 noon and 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., and also asking him to have ihe late-fee mail to Auckland extended to 10 p.m.