RAILWAY LEAGUE

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LX, Issue 10832, 2 April 1932, Page 3

RAILWAY LEAGUE

proposal to Appoint Delegation.

T 0 MEW IMIIAVAVS BOARD,

. _. ee tinjr of tlu' T;uiranga Rail--1 A Protection League "’.as held in 'rnudi Council Chambers yesiS« . •iftcniouii. Present: Messrs ief r ? RO*d)ins (Chairman). Bradhey B- °j, Tollemache. K. Mann, r L Lose '•‘on. secretary). ® n<J , V ’ Cooper, railway stationM L was ah') in attendance. ® .Vc \V A. Paterson. F. N. Chris£BS. p. RijL'es represented the jjaUway Committee of the Chamber of rhTClerk to the Opoiiki County •o' wrote slating the Council CoU mi'ivoidahiy unable to semi a reffaS ‘dive to the tneetinr at TaiiP resfl re'-ardinpr the railway, hut has UP'the subject with Hie Raillil - Board He mldcd: “it seems a presumption that one sure r t;fof increasing the railway earn--063 is for those directly served by • fß?S rtilwav to whole-heartedly sup'My t'oimdi believes the ?° n ’ an a valuable work in united support of the railway, " fif is prepared to assist the actiJts of the League in this dimeHnti —Received- ... The Town Clerk. Paeroa, in a let.mu the same subject, advised that 6 ■ c in the holidays intervening the cnniici! regrets that it was unable fhe represented at the meeting in iinSin January last.--Received, T ?fr B C Robbins, Hon. Secretary / tbP Tauransa Chamber of Comlr(.e wrote advising that at the last Sting the following resolution was /«nfe(P “With the desire to co-op--2 with. the Railway Defence Sue. they bo asked to appoint a u 8 mittPP to act with a like cotnSeefroni this Chamber to fortnuS e a scheme to assist in maintainthe railway service to this district' our Committee to be Messrs W A Paterson, F, N. Christian, E. A. Entwistle, C. V. Biggs, and R. K The General Manager of Railways, Wellington, wrote in reference to a lotter from the League, suggesting hat the Government Railways Board hnkl a scries of conferences at the Lin centres of the district, to formulate some plan, whereby the present railway service to the distuct might bo maintained. He stated that the Board regretted it will be unable to visit the district in the near future However, the Board would be pleased to receive a delegation in Wellington on March 9 if the League buds it is able to arrange for such a delegation. The Hon, Secretary had replied dating that owing to the short notice and the large area served by the line, it W impossible to arrange a deputation, to wait on the Board on March 9. The suggestion would be submitted to the League. The Chairman said it was apparent that the Railways Board did not intend to visit the district. The people down the coast had been active lately. The Opotiki County Council had submitted suggestions for increasing the railway revenue and the Rarigitaiki Plains dairy suppliers had decided to make an effort to cancel the contract for the transport of butter by boat and transfer the freightage to the railway. The Waihi people-were very anxious that the railway service be maintained. It might be possible to send a deputation, from the Bay of Plenty and ash the Railways Board to meet that deputation at Auckland. Mr Christian said the Committee of the Chamber of Commerce had considered the question and submitted the following recommendations; Recommend the Railways Board to bring down freight rates so as to be more competitive.

.That a contractor be appointed to deliver all' small parcels, the extra cost to be paid by the customers. That the time of taking goods for tile night goods train' from Auckland he extended.

. That the Board be requested to consider the advisability of running a night rail car to suit the business community. The four recommendations were elaborated by Mr Christian. In reference to the fourth recommendation he said there was need for a night rail car connecting with the express at Prankton. It was not. possible at present to submit a guarantee for the railway of the freights of business firms.

The Chairman said the railway had been operating during a period of depression. The Department should consider the question of a preferential tariff for goods on the line. Passenger fares and timetables might be discussed with the Railways Board. He suggested that the delegates from the various districts of the Bay of Plenty meet and discuss matters affecting the railway and then appoint a delegation to meet the Board in Auckland. Mr Biggs urged that an appeal be made again for the Railways Board to visit the Bay of Plenty. The Chairman said the railway had been of tremendous value to this district’. He moved—That tho League communicate with the various local bodies in the Bay of Plenty, asking them to appoint delegates to formulate a scheme for retaining the railway, also-requesting them to co-oper-ate in sending a delegation to meet the Railways Board at either Hamilton or Auckland. The motion was seconded by Mr Mann and carried. The Chairman said as soon as replies were received from the local oodles another meeting would be held.

It was pointed out that it was necessary to have a small fund to meet °t stationery and stamps, ihe Chairma.n moved—That the membership fee of the League be fix- ■ at 2s CU.—Seconded by Mr Tolle“mche and carried.