RAILWAY MATTERS.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 10760, 13 September 1900, Page 5

RAILWAY MATTERS.

MR WARD'S REPLIES TO THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. >

Mr H. A. Adley, secretary of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, has received the following communication from the Hon. J. G. Ward', the Minister for Railways, conveying the Minister's answer to the representations made by a deputation from the Chamber on June 7th: — "1. Annual tickets over certain lines, e.g., Oamaru-Culverden.—lt has been decidedto give the present system of charging for annual tickets a year's trial, at the end of which time the matter will be further considered. "2. Return tickets at less than twice the single fares.-—I regret I cannot see my way to makß further reduction in the passenger fares at present. ! "3. Acceleration of the speed of trains.— ' As stated in my previous reply, this matter • will have attention. As circumstances warrant the separation of the goods and passenger services, the latter will be accelerated. Running speed between stations is already as high as can be permitted with the existing appliances. '"4. A one day eervice by rail and coach between Christchurch and Kaikoura.—The extra trains whieh%ould be required between CbrJ-tchurch and Culverden to produce such a service as? is asked for would not pay for working expenses; further, there is not sufficient, inducement in the Christchurch-Kai-koura traffic for the coach proprietors to arrange an improved service, . "5. Separation of goods and passenger work on tho K-tth line 3to allow of further acceleration of trains.—A goods train runs daily from Christchurch to Waikari and back, jelieving the other services of a large -tnousVof work;* the traffic at present does not warrant aii% further separation of the goods r.nd passenger services, "6. Loading and unloading of vessels not to be done or charged for by the Department. —For obvious reasons it would be inexpedient to remove from the Railway Department, the control of loading and unloading trucks" at ve'-sels' side. '■7."Additional rolling stock for next grain * season. —Arrangements are being made to largely increase the rolling stock.

'•8. Reduction of the railage charge on goods from Lytteiton to Christchurch.—A concession in tlie charges on goods has recently been made on the Christchurch-Lyt-teltoh line, in computing the charges for all goods conveyed to Lytteiton by dead weight instead of measurement as previously. I cannot see my way to make any further reduction at present.

"9. Beduction of time the express trains stop at Timaru and Oamaru.—The time allowed at Timaru is necessary, so as to give passengers who do not use the dining car tini3 to obtain refreshments. At Oamarn the time is required for railway purposes, change of engine, etc. Wherever it is possible to reduce the stoppage time at stations it is, of course, in the interests of the Department to do so. "20. The General Manager to visit England and the district traffic managers to occasionally visit the oth-er colonies. —This matter wi'l have consideration. (Signed. J. G. WARD.