OUTRAM RAILWAY

Evening Star, Issue 20958, 24 November 1931, Page 9

OUTRAM RAILWAY

RESIDENTS REALISE ITS NECESSITY About eighty persons attended the meeting held in the Outram down Wall last night. It was convened bv the Town Board and the West It llol ' 1 Branch of the Farmers’ Union, .nose present represented all classes orchardists, market gardeners, farmers, and business men. Mr A. Hendry, chairman of the J own Board, presided. He said that the district was faced with the possibility ot this branch line being closed, and as that would be a serious tuing lor the community and a large district the meeting had been called with a view to ensuring all possible support lor the railway. The line was essentially necessary. He commented on the fact that this branch had been debited with approximately £2,000 annually for interest, and contended that as the branch had paid well the inference was that had the finance been properly arranged the cost would have been written off some time ago. The people of the district must get behind any movement for the retention of the line. Any improvement in the revenue would strengthen their argument for » review by the Railway Board of the decision to close the line. . . Mr A. Blair, representing the laien Countv Council, said that he was a big user of the Outram lino and realised that its closing would mean a serious loss to producers. The increased taxation was due to the use of the roads for heavy traffic, and he contended that to use the roads for that traffic when the railway was available was not economical. Mr A. Grant, representing the West Tgieri Branch of the Farmers’ Union, remarked that farmers would be at a great disadvantage if line ceased to operate. He assured the representative of the Railway Department that he could rely on the farmers for full support in any action that would assist in keeping the line open. Mr J. Adams, speaking on behalf of the trading community, said that though most of their goods were highly rated the persons whom ho represented endeavoured where possible to give their traffic to the railways, even though it meant putting them at a money disadvantage. He suggested that other Government departments could do more by way of diverting traffic to the railway by arranging that contracts and tenders in the district should operate from the nearest railhead. . Mr D. S. Broughton, commercial agent for tho railways, outlined the attitude of the Railways Board towards non-paying branch lines, and drew attention to that board’s recent statement on tho subject. During the last two years the revenue from the Outram "branch had fallen considerably, despite the prosperity of the district and the fact that production had apparently increased. There had obviously been a drift to other means of the transport of commodities that could have been carried 1 by rail. The position was to a great extent in the hands of the people, and it was for them to say whether tho diversion of the traffic from the railway was to continue. Tho time had come when the general taxpayer would no longer contribute to supply railway facilities to districts in which tho people preferred to patronise what they erroneously considered cheaper traffic. Air Broughton went on to show how increased taxation was brought about by the duplication of transport, and Jig gave a review of the railway rates, showing that the existing tariff had been compiled' in the interests of primary producers. Seventy-five per cent, of Now Zealanders would bo adversely affected if the railways were cut out. Absolute co-operation in support of the railway by tho residents of any district was the only genuine indication of their desire for their line, and such support was necessary to justify an appeal for the retention of the line. It was moved by Mr A. Adams, seconded by Air A. Al'Donald (representing fruitgrowers) that those present give full support to < this branch line and support all possible traffic for it,, with a view to keeping tho branch open. Air Blair moved a vote of thanks to the representatives of tho Railway Department, and this was carried heartily with cheers. The proceedings were enthusiastic and unanimous.