AUCKLAND-HENDERSON RAILWAY SERVICE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 7, 8 January 1908, Page 3

AUCKLAND-HENDERSON RAILWAY SERVICE.

MORE TRAINS WANTED. DEPUTATION TO THE HON. G. FOWLDS. The rapid spread of settlement, north of Auckland necessitates more facilities for travelling by the railway than are afforded by the present train service, and this subject formed the matter upon which a deputation waited on the Hon. George Fowlds this morning at th- Minister's rooms. The members of the deputation were Messrs. J. W. Shackellord, C. D. Grey, C. B. Clay, T. A. Ashton. W. Cooper, J. Entrican, Grandison, :..nd F. Walker. Mr. Shack elf ord introduced the deputation, and said that they all appreciated the motor train on the railway, but thought it might be used more extensively, instead of being hung up for several hours in a day. They had no daily train from Auckland from 11.50 a.m. to 3.50 p.m., excepting on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Yesterday the Kaipara train, coming down at eleven o'clock, was so crowded that even ladies had to stand. The train put on at 9.45 p.m. had proved a success. They, however, wanted a train leaving Auckland at 11 p.m. each night in the week. That could.easily be done by the motor train. At present it did not run after twenty past six at night. A later train would be of great advantage to a rapidly growing district. Mr. Cooper \irged the Department that a Sunday train service should exist between Auckland and Henderson. At present the only train on Sunday was the afternoon one between Auckland and Waikumete. He felt that if the motortrain ran on Sundays it would pay the Department, and be a great convenience to residents. Mr. Cooper also suggested that there should be an amendment in the workman's weekly tickets. At present only those who travelled by the 7 a.m. train had the advantage of workman's tickets, while those who went later could not use them. He contended that many who travelled by later trains were working men, such as clerks and assistants in shops. He thought they should I have the same concessions as those travelling by the ordinary 7 a.m. train. Mr. Shackelford said the bulk of those who came in by the 8 a.m. train were undoubtedly working people. Mr. Walker supported Mr. Cooper's claim for Sunday trains. Mr. Grandison: Settlements were opened out, and workers' hamleus started by the Government, but of 100 sections at New Lynn only about 20 were taken up. If workers could travel by the 8 a.m. train he felt sure that more sections would be taken up. Mr. Fowlds said he was of opinion that the Railway Department had not quite realised the very rapid growth of the district around Mount Albert and Avondale. He knew the position of affairs himself, and would be pleased to place the representations of the deputation before the Minister for Railways and do all he could to secure increased facilities.