RAILWAY MATTERS.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17769, 22 May 1923, Page 4

RAILWAY MATTERS.

PROGRESS LEAGUE'S COMMITTEE. ..The Progress League's District Kailways . Committee met yesterday afternoon. Present—Messrs H. J. Marriner (chairman), W. 0. Ennis, Assistant-District Traffic Manager, W. H. Nicholson, W. Stringleman, and P. B. Olimie, organiser for the League. An> apology for absence was received from Mr J. B. Mitchell, District Traffic Manager, who is away in Wellington.

Mr Climie reported that the secretary of the North Canterbury Freezing Company had written regarding the morning train from Ohristchurch to Kaiapoi, stating that the company had not felt'satisfied with the Department's attitude regarding the impossibility of speeding up the train. Under the present time-table the men had barely sufficient time to start work at 8 a.m. The number of men who would benefit at present was ten or twelve; but if suitable arrangements were made more men would take advantage of living in Ohristchurch instead of boarding at Kaiapoi. The secretary of the Freezing "Works and Belated Trades Union forwarded, a resolution from the Belfast freezing workers to the effect that the train should leave Christchurch earlier, in order to allow Kaiapoi workers to arrive before 8 a.m. Mr Climie said that this answered the statement made at the previous meeting that the Belfast men were opposed to the train leaving earlier.

Mr Ennis said that instructions had been received to look into the matter, and this was being done at present. He stated that it would be necessary to start the train earlier, - it was not possible to speed it up. It was decided to support the re-, quest 'of the Kaiapoi workers that the train should arrive in time for them to start work at 8 a.m., and to forward a copy of the resolution to the executive of the League. Mr-H. A. Knight, Eacocourse Hill, wrote supporting statements made by Mr G-. H. Judd at a meeting of the executive of the League, regarding the waste by. the Eailway Department at country sidings, and stating that he could give specific instances, but in order to judge them it would be necessary to inspect them on the spot. Mr Knight said that he would be pleased to give the information if a visit was arranged. It was decided to accept Mr Knight's offer, and to ask the District Traffic Manager and the District Eailway Engineer to accompany the members _of the committee 'on a visit of inspection on a date to be fixed. The United Burgesses' Association wrote stating that Messrs A. B. Blank and E. A. Collie had been appointed to confer with the committee regarding the Glandovey road crossing, and to visit the crossing with members of the committee. It was decided to fix the date of the visit later.