WAIRARAPA RAILWAY SERVICE

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 182, 30 April 1936, Page 16

WAIRARAPA RAILWAY SERVICE

Dissatisfaction Expressed CONFERENCE TO BE CALLED Dominion Special Service. Masterton, April 28. After hearing an address by the Mayor, Mr. T. Jordan, on the desirability of improving the railway service between the Wairarapa and Wellington, the Masterton Chamber of Commerce decided this afternoon to call a conference of local bodies and'various other organisations in the Wairarapa as a preliminary to sending- a deputation to wait on the Government. Mr. Jordan explained that a deputation from the Wairarapa had previously waited on the former Prime -Minister, Kt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, with a view to improving the railway service through or oyer the Rimutakas, but it had not received a great dea 1 of' satisfaction. However., a change, had taken place in the country, and he was prepared to believe that'more: satisfaction could be obtained from the present Government than tile last one. /fi' The establishment of rail-cars was an attempt to recapture the passenger traffic, but it was time something was done about improving the whole service. Another factor was that the Government was determined to build the East Coast railway and take it' through Palmerston North,' said'Mr. Jordan. Some ; steps should be taken to provide a level through the Rimutakas .rather than over them, and avoid congestion at Palmerston North. “I am not satisfied this district is making the progress it is capable, of making, and personally I would like to see something done to stimulate the development of this wonderful place,” said Mr. Jordan. “The district lacks development,, as can be seen from the census statistics, and that is due in a measure to the inadequacy of the railway services. It has been stated that the wool alone from this district would fill a train seven miles long, sheep 40 miles, dairy produce five miles, and meat four miles.” -. The president, Mr. A. B. Wood, said it was just about time something was done on the lines Mr. Jordan suggested. It was about time this district was given a railway that could deal with the transport service. Now was an appropriate time , to: approach the Minister to get the long-looked-for improvement. Referring again to the small increase in the population in the Wairarapa, Mr. Jordan said the figures were very disappointing.- Actually it was the best. district in' the Dominion, but it was thirsting for; development. As the matter was of some urgency a conference should be called as early as possible. There were in the department’s offices engineers’ reports on -tunnelling the Rimutakas, and the present Minister of Public Works, Hon. R. Semple, was looking for work for the unemployed that might be an asset to the Dominion. Electrification might be alternative to tunnelling, he said. In thanking the Mayor for the address, the president said he was sure the chamber, and, in fact, the district generally, would support the proposals.