THE GOLDFLELDS AND THE TRUNK RAILWAY.

Auckland Star, Volume XL, Issue 179, 29 July 1909, Page 6

THE GOLDFLELDS AND THE TRUNK RAILWAY.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —It is a source of speculation by many people why the Railway Department have never run a train, to connect up the Main Trunk 'line express from south with the gold_elds district. Seeing that there are a great number of people from t_e southern portion of the Dominion doing business at the various mining towns, also seeing that the mining ■centres have a large population, it is only reasonable that an attempt should be made to secure a better inward train service. At present a goods train, with second-class car attached, and locally known _s the "Wildcat," iruns from Paeroa to Frankton. This train is timed to leave Paeroa at 7.35 .p.m., and arrives at Frankton at about 11 o'clock. Thus travellers from the mining district are able to ca-teh the southern express at Frankton at 12.12 a.m. Travellers for the goldflelds (from the south, however, are not so fortunate. They have to leave the north-bound express at Frankton at 3.38 a.m., take a coach to Hamilton, and 'there wait until nearly midday before they .can get a train to Paeroa. This causes a great loss of time and a lot of expense and inconvenience. It has been pointed out that the Railway Department could avoid this delay without loss or inconvenience to traffic. At present a coal train leaves Frankton at 2.50 in the afternoon, and takes the main daily supply of coals to the goldfields", arriving at Paeroa at 6.50 p.m. This coal is left at Paeroa all night, and goes forward along the Waihi line next day. It is suggested that this train could be delayed and run, with passenger car attached, early in the morning, instead of in the afternoon. By leaving Frankton at 3.45 a.m., a few minutes after the southern express arrives, and Tunning at the usual pace, this train could deliver passengers, mails, and coal at Paeroa in plenty of time to catch the early train from Paeroa to Waihi. This would mean that the present "Wildcat" would run out from Frankton in the morning and back in the evening, instead of out in the afternoon and back in the evening, as at present. From an outsider's point of view, this suggestion seems reasonable and one that would greatly facilitate business matters if adopted.—l am, etc, TRAVELLER.