RAILWAY MATTERS.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14658, 6 May 1913, Page 8

RAILWAY MATTERS.

THE HON. W. 'HERMES ON TOUR

Tho Minister of Railways and .Native Affairs, the Hon. W. Ji. Hemes, yesterday continued his tour of Canterbury lines. In tho morning he visited Little Jliver, Lincoln. Lecston, etc., and" in the afternoon inspected the Addington workshops. DEPUTATIONS. At Little River a deputation, headed by tho'ebairman of the Wairewa County Council, Mr Cook, waited upon the Minister" to ask that a septic tank should be provided ;tt the railway station. Mr Hurries &asd he would have a report made on the matter by tho Health Department. A deputation from the Akaroa .Railway League, consisting of Messrs Lelievro (chairman of the League) and U. Armstrong (Mayor), also waited upon, the Minister to urge the continuance of the line to Akaroa. It was stated that the lino was authorised, and had endowments which had paid for tho construction of the line from Lincoln to Little Biver. These endowments would still provide funds towards the cost of tho line. The harbour at Akaroa was unriralled, and the line would be of the utmost utiiity'in getting the cattle more quickly to the market. Akaroa was a valuable tourist resort, which had unlimited possibilities. With.access to the harbour much of tho produce of tho plains would pass through that outlet. Both the fruit and dairy industry locally would aJso receive a decided fillip, and the iish industry had possibilities if only direct access to Christchurch could be provided. In reply, Mr Herries said the matter was one for the Minister of Public Works, who, he believed, would visit tho district in the course of the session. Ho believed that when all the claims ■were being considered, this line would consideration. At Knituna the request was madethat the platform be extended and a goods shed provided. The Minister promised consideration. THE SOUTHBRIDGE LINE. i The chairman of the Ellesmere County Council (Mr J. iitorey) at Lees- j ton headed a deputation to ask for a faster service on the line. A half-hour could easily he cut off. It was also .desired that the district should be given the samo facilities in regard to the liftytrip commutation tickets as were given to those in the twenty-fiye-mile radius. That station was two miles over that distance, and Southbridgo six miles over. The request was also made that tho train should run into the main platform in Christ-church, and not into the south platform only.

Mr Herri w>, in reply, promised full consideration. They wero going to make big alterations in the sidings and railway accommodation at Ciiristch'urch, nrnl when these were completed something mii;ht be,done.

At Southbridjje. Mr E. G. Ilubbard, chairman of the Town Board, made tour requests. The first was that a faster service should be provided than two hours for thirty-one miles. The second "was that on Wednesdays two secondclass smoking cars should be provided right up to tSouthbridgc. A late train once a fortnight (about eleven from Christchwch) was also wanted. Tho last matter ways homes for the railwaymen at Southbridge. Better accommodation was desired for them—especially for married men. As things stood, single men alone could be sent for some dositions. The Minister said that cottages for men were wanted all over tho country. It was all a question of money which was wanted everywhere. He would look into the question locally, and would also consider tho speeding up of the train between stations; One difficulty about a late train was that it would have- to run back empty. It would, however, be considered in the summer months. ' The ;'smoking-car question would be dealt, with by the traffic manager. : . \ At Lincoln a deputation, headed by Mr W. F. Ryan, chairman of the Springs County Council, asked that suburban rates should be given residents on that line up to twenty miles, the same as on the main line. Some figures were given in support of the request. These showed that on the main line traffic had increased with the suburban rates. From 1907 to 1912 the passengers at Templeton increased from 5359 to 7014; at Itolleston from 3756 to 7165; and at Burnham from 2669 to 4231. Lincoln declined from 7316 to 7256, and Prebbleton from 4578 to 4076. It was urged that tho district was entitled to suburban rates, and that there was plenty of land available for workmen's homes.

The Minister, in reply, promised! to go into the matter thoroughly for the whole of New Zealand. " Suburban fares were designed not so much to give the inhabitants cheap fares as to induce people to come from tho towns and reside there while still pursuing their work in town. Did they have any land thero available for cutting up for homes?

A ' member of the deputation: Any amount of it.

The Minister repeated his promise to consider the point.

THE ADDINGTON SHOPS,

After lunching at Leeston, the Ministerial party returned to the Addington •workshops at 2.27 p.m., and made a thorough inspection thereof. The party was shown through all tho different departments by the various chiefs, and found tho visit one of the greatest possible interest. ■, To-day* tho Minister proceeds to Waian, receiving numerous'deputations thronghonfc the day, and is to be entertained this evening at that town. Tomorrow Mr Hemes proceeds toHanmer, and returns to Christchurch on Thursday.