MASTER CARRIERS

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 171, 7 April 1923, Page 8

MASTER CARRIERS

SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAY FACILITIES. A deputation from the Wellington Master Carriers’ Association waited upon Messrs. Mason and Grant, the railway commercial agents for the North and South Islands respectively and suggested many improvements whiph ' it given effect to, would, it was urged, react not only to the direct benefit of carriers and importers, but also to tue Railways Department. Mr. D. J. McGowan, .president of the Carriere’ Association, stated that: (al The erection of a veranda covering (roof only), say 20 feet wide, in the lambton yard for the protection of goods, etc., during inclement weather, was of urgent necessity, and should be put in hand before the winter months, (b) The hand crane at Lambton for heavy goods had been in use for over 35 years, and was now obsolete. To operate the crane required the services of four men. the speaker emphasised the necessity for up-to-date machinery, the economy of which would in the long run be apparent. It was urged that the stores shipper 3 ; ton crane should always be in commission. The Thorndon crane was quite inadequate, goods of over two tons in weight requiring to be shunted to Lambton. (c) Mr McGowan urged that there should be two doors for the reception of goods for Palmerston North, especially during the rush hours. Further, that inexpensive awnings, if erected over the Palmerston North, Main Trunk, and Dannevirko doors, would avoid the existing inconvenience to drivers, and would also protect goods during wet weather, (d) Representations wore made for increased accommodation, and also that an additional official be in attendance at the Thorndon Parcels Office, between the hours of 8 and 5 p.m. (e) The extension of existing "loading banks’’ at ertain places in the North Island was also advocated. Messrs. Mason and Grant gave the deputation a most sympathetic hearing, and promised that the representations made would receive the Department’s earnest consideration.