SPRINGBURN LINE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 261, 18 August 1930, Page 6

SPRINGBURN LINE

CLOSING OPPOSED. DEPUTATION TO THE MINISTER. AN INTERVIEW ON WEDNESDAY. A meeting of residents called at a few hours' notice was held in the schoolroom on Saturday evening to consider a telegram from Mr T. D. Burnett, M.P., suggesting a deputation to the Minister of Railways regarding the closing of the Mount Somers-Springburn section of the railway. Mr D. Stevens presided. Mr A. Robertson (secretary of the local branch of the Farmers Union) read the telegram he had received as follows:—"Have arranged with Minister of Railways to receive deputation from Mount Somers-Springburn residents and settlers on matter of closing railway. Date of receiving deputation Wednesday, 20th inst, hour, ninethirty of the morning, in Minister's room. Would suggest that chairman of the Ashburton County, chairman of the Mount Somers Road Board, chairman Dairy factory and you form deputation to come to Wellington on that date ready with all facts and figures. Closing deferred."

- Mr G. Fittock (chairman of directors of Dairy Company), said he thought they had reached a stage when a deputation might be successful. He himself was far from suro that he could go. He, however, thought the company should be represented as it was one of the biggest freight payers on the section. Mr A. Robertson reported that the chairman of the County Council (Mr H. C. B. Withell) was willing to go Mr K. I. Robertson said he thought .the proposed deputation was a real opportunity and he moved that a deputation consisting of the gentlemen suggested be sent to Wellington to meet.the Minister on tho date mentioned. This was agreed to, but it was reported that the exact personnel of tho deputation could not be arranged that night though* both the County Chairman (Mr Withell) andMr A. Robertson reported that they had agreed to (TO. ° Mr K. I. Robertson stated that the County Council had given good support and had presented evidence m support of retaining a service to Springburn. The following letter from the Minister of Railways (tho Hon W. A. Vcitch) was read: — "With reference to my recent announcement regarding the closing of that nortion of the line between Mount Somers and Springburn, and the meeting of the settlers at Springburn on the 14th July, protesting against tho closing of this line, I have given very careful consideration to tho representations that have ben made, but owing to the present necessity for economy, and as it would appear that it is not possible for any local guarantee to be given against losses on the line. I am reluctantly compelled to proceed with the closing and directions have been given accordingly. "In view of the fact that our locomotive depot is at Springburn, it is proposed to continue working the lino between Springburn and Mount Somers until such time as the Department can .effect the necessary transfer _of plant and personnel. Due notification will be criven the settlers through the Press of the actual closing date. "It is a matter of regret to me that this course is necessary, but in view of the heavy financial losses that are being incurred and the meagre traffic offering from beyond Mount Somers, I have made a careful analysis of the returns of traffic and witn these figures before mo, I can onlv conclude from the small measure of support afforded the line in the past, that no undue inconvenience will now be caused by its closing. "I shall be glad if you will inform the petitioners who made representations against the closing of the line of this decision." In a covering letter Mr Burnett said he had made the suggestion for even a weeklv service run at ten miles an I hour/but the Minister definitely said "No," and gave as his reasons that whenever a train ran the permanent way had to be well maintained, otherwise without attention the line soon subsided and became absolutely unsafe. Mr Robertson reported that it had been ascertained from official sources that the revenue from the two flag stations on the four mile section in question was £1043 8s 9d for the year ended March 31, last. That figure did not include cream or parcel freights, which 'were sufficient to bring revenue up to over £llOO. Evidence from the district and from the County Council has been forwarded for the Railway Commission sitting at Christchurch this week, delegates are going to Christchurch to giye verbal evidence to the Commission, and a deputation is going to Wellington to meet the Minister of Railways.