SUBURBAN RAILWAY LEAGUE

Evening Star, Issue 17333, 22 April 1920, Page 3

SUBURBAN RAILWAY LEAGUE

The West Harbor Railway League, in their efforts to improve the conditions prevailing on the Dunedin-Port Chalmers line, and in. their requests for a still better service to Otago's principal port, have written tc thd Minister of Railway* and to the traffic manager suggesting improvements. At Tuesday night's monthly meeting of the league the following correspondence was read and discussed, and it was decided to pursue the matter still further, as it was felt that the case made out was not sufficiently answered : Mr J. M. Dickson, M.P.—With further reference to your letter of January 20 last and your representations in support of the request made by the \Vest Harbor Railway League for improvements and additions to the suburban train sen-ice on the Port Chalmers line, I have the honor to inform you that the inquiries disclose ".hat no industries. in Dune'din commence operations beforo 7.45 a.m. daily, ond very few workers at Port Chalmers start work before 8 a.m. The 4.45 a.m. is a- main line goods train, run to Palmerston to suit the goods traffic both ways, and it cannot be timed later than at present without destroying its general utility. The evening trains from Dunedin are not heavily loaded, -a.nd I regret that the present; business is insufficient to justify an additional train at 5.45 p.m. When the closing of She retail shops at 5.30 T>m. is universal tho department will bo pleased to consider the substitution of a train at 5.45 p.m. for the present 6.15 p.m. train.—W. F. Massojy Minister of Railways.

District Triffic Manager Railways, Dunedin.—Sir.—The West Harbor Railway League wish to bring 1 before your notice se'-'_ral improvements to the railways at Burkes ar.d St. Leonards which would prove a boon to the residents in that locality if you could see your way clear to grant the requests- Burkes Station: (1) That the present overbridge bo extended out on to the road line for tho following reasons:—At nresent passengers have to go on to station platform, then climb steps, over the bridge, and then steps a~aan : so you can see that if the bridge whs extended right nut to the ro.'id it would he of crent benefit to the people, and also «ve the railway people a lot of worry. Elderly people would much appreciate, this alteration. (2) That the siding at Burkes be opened up again so that people requiring '• building material, conl.

and all dairy requirements could have the same railed to Burkes. You will see that this would mean a great saving to the people there ; also it would give a. stimulus to building in that locality. At present everything has to be carted from Dunedin. which proves .very'expensive. We do, not think it would take very much to put the siding in order again. One resident has ottered £5 towards the expenses, and several have stated that they are prepared to give a hand to get it done, ns thev recognise it is very necessary to the convenience and progressiveness of the place. The reasons why the siding was not used in recent years are not nowoperating, and we think that no danger would be occasioned by its use again. St. T.ccnards :_ it) That the siding at St. Leonards is dangerous and cumbersome to work, and we would recommend that a ramp be put down going in at the back of the station. We think this would tret over the difficulty and prove a benefit to f he residents. i2) We" also wish to draw your attention to the fart that there are no conveniences at St. Leonards, which, we think, should be remedied as soon as possible. Please find enclosed a rough plan of our request,- at Burkes and ■St. Leonards.—Yours faithfully, Secretary We=t Harbor Railway League." The Secretary, West Harbor Railway League. Ravensbourne.—Sir.—Referring to v-m- ]..>l»er of February 15 last askin:r"~for improved facilities at Burkes and St. Leonards, T beg to say that, as you are no doubt- aware, nnv attempt to improve either Burkes or St. Leonards would 1» ''visntisfiictory because of the unsuitabilitv <-." rhe present sites: but the department ■■= pren-ii-ed to favorably consider expenditure in providing a suitable station for botn good; and passenger traffic in a central position provided the residents will agree to the closing of the two existing stations. Probably yenvr league may be prepared to further such a scheme.—W. Bowles, district traffic manager.