RAILWAY FACILITIES

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 14 July 1927, Page 4

RAILWAY FACILITIES

HAWERA AND PATEA.

DEPUTATION TO BOARD,

SCHOOL TRAIN AND STOCKYARDS

Passing through Hawera on the south express this morning, after a visit to the northern part, of the province, Messrs F. J. Jones (chairman), A. W. Mount and J. Mason, of the RailwayBoard, were met by a deputation from the Hawera Chamber of Commerce and the High School Board. The district traffic manager, Air P. H. Hartland, also travelled with the party, and on the arrival of the train introduced the deputation, which comprised Messrs E. Dixon (president), P. Bond, F. W. Horner, W. Crompton, of the Chamber of Commerce, and Air R. S. Sage, secretary- of the chamber, and also chairman of the High School Board. Introducing the business of the deputation, Air Dixon said it Avished to ask further consideration to the proposal to dispense Avith the morning train leaving Patca at 7.3 S a.m. and arriving at Hawera at 5.52 a.m. .and also to inquire concerning possible action by the Department with reference to representations already- made to ha\ r e the station stock yards removed from the present site. Dealing with the tram question, Air Dixon said that for about six years the early service had afforded great convenience to school children travelling to Ha Aver a from Patea and intermediate stations, and also to residents in the area south of Hawera proceeding to the town for business purposes. Though a number travelled to Hawera by car, the train Avas still used by a large quota, and the discontinuance of the tram would involve great inconA r enience, .as the next train from the south, which arrived at mid-day, did not afford the same opportunity for travel at a suitable time. _ Air Jones replied that tlie Department had to Avork on business lines and could not afford to run a goods train unless business Avarranted it in order to afford convenience to school children. If it was necessary to provide conveyance for the school children, it would be cheaper for the country if the Education Department provided a motor service, which, he considered, would not involve a tenth of the cost of running a train.

Air Dixon again stressed the convenience afforded, and Messrs Horner and Sage raised the question of co-operation hetAveen the two departments. Mr Sage stated further that between fifty and sixty school children made use of the the train. Air Jones: “The -department is not a philanthropic institution and has to pay its AvaA r - ’ ’ Air Dixon: “If the train is taken off, Avill you consider putting on a; motor serA r iee for the school children?’’ Air Jones: “If it but unless such is likely the department could not consider arranging the service.”

Mr Dixon: “Then if you do arrange the motor serA-ice y r ou Avill be. helping tlie tendency to drive - traffic from the railway to the roads.”

Air Mason interposed that the re\--enue received from the school children’s fares was practically negligible. He supported Air Jones in the contention that the department must regard the question from a business standpoint. Air Hartland said that the proposed alteration Avas in accord with the policy of the department to grte the best possible service to the Avhole district. The discontinuance of the early train from Patea had not been definitely decided upon, but if it Avcre taken off a night goods service from Wellington to New Plymouth Avould be put on.

Air Bond emphasised that the tendency appeared to be to give the terminals the advantages at the expense of the intermediate centres. In ecfn elusion, Air Jones intimated that consideration would be given to the points raised by the deputation before decisive action was taken.

Replying to Air Dixon’s query regarding the stock yards, Mr Jones said the board members had intended making an inspection whilst the train was at Hawera. He stressed that the department had to decide what was best to do in the circumstances. Naturally the residents adjacent to the yards had raised an objection, and the possibility of moving the yards to the northern side of the line had been considered. It would, however, be useless to do so if the alteration would not improve the position. Also -without first considering the probable result on business with its clients the department could not adopt any suggestion for moving the yards to a site away from the station. “Whatever we do will involve expense,” he said, “and the department is naturally anxious to reach a solution which will be suitable to all parties.”

Air Dixon: “If you could be here on a summer evening you would realise that the complaint is not groundless. A piggery especially is an abomination to have in the centre of a community.” Air Dixon added he thought the department was considering placing the stock yards on the site of the proposed new railway station.

Air Jones: “I don’t know about that.” He said lie regretted that members were unable to remain longer to discuss the question with the deputation, but gave an assurance that the matter would be investigated fully.