KAPUNI RAILWAY SIDING.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 4 August 1928, Page 4

KAPUNI RAILWAY SIDING.

Whatever it. thinks about the practicability of the request that a permanent, officer and a telephone should be installed at the Kapuni railway siding—and it seems eminently practicable —the department should be gratified that there exists in that part of South Taranaki such a public-spirited desire to give business to the railways. The request has not been made, of course, from a sole desire to assist the railways, for farmers and businessmen in 'the area between Kaponga and Manaia have reasons which more nearly concern themselves as individuals in asking for additional facilities for the receipt and despatch of goods at the siding, but it was also made evident by several speakers among those who waited upon the two'representatives of the department on Thursday that there exists a very commendable community spirit which will result in business being drawn from quarters which could get along just as well, from their own private points of view, without the extra facilities. The officers of the department were 'obviously impressed, as they co'uld not help but; be, by the progressive and generous attitude of the farming, business and local body interests represented by the deputation, and it- is certain that 'the request of the district will be well represented to the higher railway authorities. There should not be much difficulty occasioned the department in eoming to a decision on the point. It will have to bo found whether there are reasonably good prospects of sufficient, new traffic being attracted to the line to warrant the expense which would be incurred by the maintenance of an officer, and it should bo possible to make a sufficiently eloSe approximation on that point. It has als'o to be remembered in the deputation’s favour that the lime and the station buildings are already in existence; it is simply «: question of putting them to better use. We note that the depultation was informed that it would Ibe necessary for the petitioners to compile and submit to the district traffic manager a tale of the “ anthenltic probable returns.” It. strikes us very forcibly that .this d‘s a preliminary i work which the Department might very well do itself, or ait least assist the local people in doing. We believe that the Department is sincerely endeavouring to bring/ business methods: to bear upon its operations, but-at does not seem to us to be good (business ho ask private ind ividunlis to doy out of their enthusiasm', work which property belongs to ..the Department. If it wishes to impress, with the sincerity of its desire to do business with the public, the Department will nut allow am unToaisomalble time to elapse before giving .the deputation its answer.