ACCESS TO AUCKLAND.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 151, 27 June 1924, Page 3

ACCESS TO AUCKLAND.

IMPROVED TRAIN FACILITIES. COUNTRY SEEKS THROUGH TRAIN". (From Our Own Correspondent.) MATAMATA, Thursday. Prior to his departure for Wellington this week, Mr. C. E. Macmillan, M.1 , ., received a deputation from, the Matamata Chamber of Commerce, consisting of Mr. B. C. Taylor (chairman), and Messrs. W. C. Coote, I. Black, A. G. Yardley and F. W. Salter (secretary), asking, among other things, that the member assist the Te Aroha, Putaruru and Matamata Chambers in their request for the institution of a through evening train to Auckland. The suggestion was for a through night train from Thames, Rotorua and King Country lines to join up at Frankton for Auckland. In introducing the subject, Mr. W. C. Coote said the suggestion was receiving solid support from all the districts concerned with the exception of Hamilton. The Chamber of Commerce in that borough would not support the project for obvious reasons—a lot of traffic woulil go through Frankton and Hamilton which now stopped there. However, it was maintained that the people up-country were entitled to consideration from the Railway Department. The request of Hamilton for a morning train from Frankton, which would give the Hamilton business man the opportunity of visiting Auckland and returning the same day, had been acceded to some months ago—certainly as an experiment —while there were already facilities provided by the Main Trunk trains. A Hamilton traveller could sleep at home until at least 3.15 a.m. and bo back the same night, after having had a -whole day for business in Auckland, A traveller from Thames Valley or Kotorua had to spend two nights in Frankton to attain tbo same object. In his reply, Mr. Macmillan said, as an East Coaster alono, he would support the request, as it would serve tho people on the east side of the ranpe, who would be able to travel over the hills with a greater degree of comfort than at present, and with a, more certain knowledge of being able to negotiate tho risky journey by road in daylight. In addition, however, he would support the suggestion, because bo could spc, from the representations made that day, from Te Aroha and from bis own family's experience, that tho requestcl innovation was a necessity. The people from the South on the -way to Rotorua and the coast had also complained t<i him of the great inconvenience sufferer! by the wait at Frankton. They f=impKdreaded it. However, he knew that tho suggestion had been considered by tlic Department previously, and was turned down. He would make further representations to the Minister personally, and he wae sure if Mr. Coates could do anything he would. The Matamata Chamber has also decided to approach the Auckland Chamber of Commerce asking its support.