TRANSPORT TO NGAIO

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 226, 21 June 1935, Page 7

TRANSPORT TO NGAIO

Meeting of Progressive Association Discussion of I lie prospects of securing a decision from the authorities on the fate of the Wellington-Johnsonville railway and the best method of endeavouring to secure the retention of the line occupied a large part of the time at the annual meeting of the Ngaio Progressive Association last night. It was resolved that the incoming committee arrange with the Johnsonville Town Board and the Ivhandallah 1 rugressive Association to form a joint deputation to the Minister of Railways to discuss transport facilities for the combined districts, and insist that adequate provision be made in the future. A further decision was that the committee hold a public meeting shortly beiore the general election, which was suggested as the most opportune time to raise the question w.tli residents again. . During the discussion the president, -Mr. 11. L. Cummings, said they had two services at present, neither of which was modern. People did not realise what a good service the railway gave until they lost it, and he did not think the buses could handle the peak traffic on a uodelay basis. Referring to suggestions that the association press the matter further witli the Minister of Railways. Mr. Cummings said two members of Parliament were watching it closely. Lhe association bad dealt more with the department. He remarked that L. railways matters one met “buffers' when approaching the authorities. If the line were electrified it would take only seven minutes to reach Ngaio from the city, against 20 minutes to Tawa Flat, which people, including the Railways Department, said was going to be “the place. He did not expect there would be a reply until the general manager returned to New Zealand. Answering a member who asked what action the committee would take if the line were handed over to the tramways department of the City Council, Air. Cummings pointed out tljjt the city would need to raise a loan, which iu turn would require a poll. He thought that about the time of the elections they would get a straight-out answer. rV member said that methods of traction were for the engineers to decide. The experts might listen good naturedly to representations, but would make up their own minds. He thought the reason why the association had not been able to obtain an announcement from the department as to what it intended to do was that it had not yet decided. The annual report stated that the as-

socialion's two representatives on the committee comprised of representatives from Ngaio, Khandallah and Johnsonville had assisted the association’s committee to watch the situation regarding the electrification of the railway, and it possible the Railway Board would make a statement of its policy on the Welling-ton-Johnsonville section in tlie near future. No efforts had been spared to keep the position before the authorities. During a discussion on the apathy of residents to the possible losts of the railway. Air. C. Glenday said that if that came about the value of sections would decrease.

The following officers were elected: — President, Mr. 11. L. Cummings; vicepresident. Mr. A. Franks; lion, secretary and treasurer, Mr. 11, Irving; hon. auditor. Mr. W. J. Hicks; committee, Messrs. IT. Prince, F. Johnson. G. E. Littlejohn. AV. L. Scadden, E. Turksma, and Q Gidall. A motion of thanks to the officers was carried, the proposer, Air. 11. B. Alason, saying that the association had made more progress than ever during the year, as could be seen in the improvement to the streets.