South Canterbury News Public Meeting Seeks To Avert Rail Closure

Press, Volume C, Issue 29553, 30 June 1961, Page 13

South Canterbury News Public Meeting Seeks To Avert Rail Closure

The Waimate branch railway differed in a substantial degree from the other eight branch railways which had been declared uneconomic. speakers pointed out at a public meeting at Waimate yesterday afternoon.

“At the end of our line is a major town which is vitally concerned in maintaining the freight service.” Mr A. G. McHardy said. “The carriage of small parcels is essential to businessmen. It has been a very good service."

Mr D V Firth said that the Roxburgh branch was the only line comparable. “Here we have only five miles of track compared with other lines, and a rich agricultural area depends on this railhead." Road transport could fill certain gaps, but the railway had the answer for bulk, and better co-ord-ination could improve the position, he said. “That is one of the points the Minister should have a look at." said Mr W. H. Morland. Goods could be picked up by lorry from a Timaru warehouse and delivered at the door in Waimate —a very convenient service. Farmers could send wool direct to Timaru from the farms without involving double handling at the railhead. Figures concerning revenue of the branch line quoted by Mr H. J. Culling, stationmaster at Timaru. were:— 1958, 12,3711 b; 1959. 13.047; 1960 15.032. “But the operating figures are the Ministerial prerogative, and I was unable to obtain them,” Mr Culling said. Approach to Minister

On the motion of Mr A. E. McQueen, who had presented a comprehensive survey of the branch line and the possibilities of the position, the meeting adopted a resolution which asked the Minister of Railways for a detailed analysis of expenditure and receipts on all freight carried on the branch line.

On the proposal of Mr Firth, a committee was appointed to prepare submissions to the Minister, and representatives of different organisations and other interests present were asked to prepare, within seven days, reports indicating the adverse effects of the closing of the line. The resolution empowered the committee to make recommendations tor an increase in freight charges between Studholme Junction and Waimate. "if the department cannot find ways of reducing running costs, providing such increases would not bring freight charges above a level of such charges as would have to be met if toe branch line closed," Mr McQueen was thanked for his exhaustive review on the operation of the line, and the suggestions put forward for consideration. The meeting was fully represented by district organisations and business interests. •It was called by the Waimate Businessmen’s Association, whose president (Mr J. Barrie) was chairman. Obituary MR E. CRAIGHEAD Mr Eugene (Owen) Craighead, at one time owner and manager of the Templeton Hotel, and president of the Canterbury Bowling Club since Monday evening, died in Waimate on Wednesday morning. Mr Craighead was born in 1893 and spent his early life in Waimate. Because of his father's illness he stopped studying engineering and returned to Christchurch to help his mother run the Royal Hotel.

After World War I, in which he served in the Middle East, Mr Craighead became manager of the Studholme Hotel and later the Leeston Hotel. He also owned the Royal Hotel. He was a widower and had no children.