REEFTON RAILWAY STATION.

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 October 1908, Page 4

REEFTON RAILWAY STATION.

NO ALTERATION TO BE MADE. (Our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The Hon. A. R. Guinness has received the following letter from: the Minister of Railways:—“Dear sir,— In reference to your previous representations in. regard to what is-known as the Reef ton back shunt I have to advise you that this matter has previously had my very careful consideration. The position in regard to the matter is that it is not possible to take the railway itself nearer to the town of Roefton than it is at present situated and any closer connection with tho township by railway would require to be worked by a branch 1 ifie or as a siding to work ns a branch line for goods and passenger traffic would involve a very consider-, able capital mil lay and in addition would necessitate the keeping of a special engine and cars and a s|>ocial train crew to work tho branch line and a small staff at Hie town station. I am sure you will realise that the expense would not be warranted by any probable additional traffic. The alternative to making the connection in this way would be (o detain the through train on the main line while an engine and one or Iwo pasengor cai/; ran up.to the station and back. Such a method and the consequent delay to (he through train would. I need hardly point out, he open to obvious objection. It seems to me that, the case would be fully met. by the construction of a private siding to connect the different mines with the main line and there would bo no objection to the construction of such a siding, as tho terms usual in such cases, if those who are interested decided to act upon this suggestion. Tho necessary particulars can be obtained from the Engineer of either the Public Works or the Railway Department. With reference to the position of Reef ton and the complaint that persons from that town who desire to use tho railway either for goods or as passengers are handicapped by the cost of conveyances from 1 lie town to the main line, I have to point out that Roefton is in a similar position to such towns as Pahiatua, one and a half miles, Maslerton, Patoa. „ and Waverley. The question of cost of carriage does not affect tho position so much as it is supposed, particularly in reference to goods. The principal cost in connection with goods traffic which would be involved in any case is the loading and the unloading. The loading at the station and the unloadinf at (he town is not so important in view of many urgent requirements of the colony and the cost of working the proposed branch to which I have previously referred. I regret that I cannot sec my way to accede to your request. Yours faithfully, W. Hall-Jonos.”