RAILWAY MATTERS.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17741, 18 April 1923, Page 10

RAILWAY MATTERS.

GENERAL MANAGER'S TOUR. Mr E. W. McVilly, General Manager of Railways, who is on a tour of inspection in the South Island, left Christchurch yesterday morning for South Canterbury, accompanied by some of his Departmental oflieers. Ho was met by deputations at several stations en route. The Southbridge Line. The General Manager and his party came through to Southbridge on Monday, where they were mot by Mr P. Delargey (chairman of the Town Board) the members and other prominent citizens, and several matters of local importance were brought under the notice of Mr McVilly, who promised to give the several requests favourable consideration. Deputations at Leeston. At ■ Leeston, Mr McVilly was welcomed by Mr John Cunningham (chairman of the Ellesmere County Council), Mr A. J. Gray (chairman of the Town Board), and Mr E. T. McMillan (president Ellesmere branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union). In response to the welcome, Mr McVilly aaid he would be quite pleased to do what he could to meet the wishes of the deputations, but if anyone was going to ask for the impossible that porson would be "told oft'." Mr Gray asked that the station and the stationmaster's houso be electrically lighted. The scheme was a Government one, and tho Government departments should show an example. Mr R. McConnell said that the yarding accommodation was too small, inasmuch as two haulers could not work in it at the one time. The trucks were shunted up a certain distance, and had to be brought back by manual labour. The remedy was to lengthen the yard, which there was ample room to do.

Mr K. T. McMillan asked that notice be given as to the availability of trucks when the same were ordered, and that empties going into flag-sta-tions be labelled with the client's name. There had been a lot of trouble owing to trucks having been taken by the wrong parties. It would bo desirable to post up a notice at the station with the names of the persons for whom the trucks had arrived. Also, sheets and ropes should .bo sent with each truck. The Fanners' Union appreciated the action of the Department in running tho special stock train on Tuesday afternoons. Mr G. 11. Bamett asked that the rates for the carriage of pigs be made uniform. A pig valued at over £3 cost freight at tho rate of a < crate and a half. The pig-breeders 'would be willing to free the Department from any liability for losses. They wanted the purebreds carried at ordinary rates.

Mr McMillan further represented that the insistence on the loading of trucks within four hours of their arrival at the station was a hardship very often. The time should bo extended to synchronise with the departure of the outgoing train. It was sometimes impossible to got loaded within four hours.

Mr Cunningham: There is ; some times a period, of 24 hours botwoen trains. Mr Gray also pointed out that the Department had a reserve of 9j acres, which the Town Board hoped would b3 utilised as sites for the erection of houses for the railway employees, thus lightening the very acute housing problem in Leeston. Efolying to the various requests, Mr MeVilW eaid that the Department appreciated the electric light service, but he had to consider its comparative utility and the cost. This was the third request of a similar nature he had had that day. The present was not an opportune time for such an alteration,' as the money was wanted for more essential things, such as yarding accommodation.

Regarding houses, the Department had been doing a lot in that direction, and would continue so long as money was available. He had to consider the public, who owned the railways, and he would have to spend money on the lines and facilities themselves before going in for other things. Regarding the altogether reprehensible practice of trucks being taken by others than those by whom they had been ordered, Mr McVilly said he would speak to the District Traffic Manager on the matter. It was tho general practice of the Department to let clients know when trucks were available. Notices could not be put up at flag stations, because there were no officials there to put them up, and if the public insisted on an official being at all stations many of the flag stations would have to be closed up. He did not think that the Department stuck rigidly to the four hours rule. Mr W. Johnston: Can not the stationmaster let us know when trucks are coming? Mr McVilly; I will see the Traffic Manager about that. Mr Cunningham thanked Mr McVilly for his courtesy, and the party then proceeded to Lincoln Junction. Ashburton Requests. Mr McVilly was in Ashburton yesterday, and received several deputations in regard to a fast Wednesday train from Ashburton to Christchureh, the speeding-up of slow trains, the carriage of cream, the preferential tariff on certain lines of groceries, and the increasing of bell alarms at level crossings. . After hearing the deputations, Mr McVilly said that each matter should have full consideration. He said in regard to the request for more warning bells, that owing to the peculiar situation of the Ancred street crossing, the bell would ring when not required, aud thus mislead people. The Department was always glad to render crossings safer, but most accidents were the result of recklessness by motorists. Instead of blaming the railways, they should join in educating people to be careful.

Mr McVilly stayed only a few minutes at Eakaia. He will return at 4 p.m. on Thursday, and then proceed to Methven. At Rakaia a strong deputation will meet him to urge certain improvements at the Eakaia station.