THE STAR. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 1893. RAILWAY ACCOMMODATION.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XX, Issue 2318, 5 January 1893, Page 2

THE STAR. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 1893. RAILWAY ACCOMMODATION.

+ The people of this district have great reason for complaint against the railway authorities in connection with the traffic arrangements, more particularly on the section between Hawera and New Plymouth. It is only recently that the haulage power has been adequate to the work, and from time 1 to time we heard of considerable delays ocoasioned by the deficiency. To some extent this has, we understand, been remedied, and ordinarily the demands for power are pretty well met. But our present purpose is to call attention once more to the very unsatisfaotory arrangements made for holiday traffic. The ordinary trains whioh have been running up and down during the the last week or two have been orowdod to an extent which, if permitted by a private carrier, would no doubt have led to bis prosecution. It needs not to be said that everyone is pleased to see 30 much travelling. It Bpeaks of prosperity of the people, of the usefulness )f the railways, and of good business and a arge revenue, but on the other hand the >üblic have a right to decent acoomnodation. Then again the local holiday raffio has been very badly oatered for.

This, indeed, has been the complaint in connection with almost every gathering up and down the line for a considerable time past. As an instance, and it is only one instance of many, people had to travel miles in open trucks last Monday. It is not to be expected that the Commissioners can keep in stock all tbe year round sufficient carriages to oope with tbe extraordinary traffic ot holidays, but where accommodation has to be ioprovised to meet demands, which, though occasional, are regular of occurrence, and ought to be forseen, it is at least to be expected that it shall be of a character which shall protect passengers from tbe weather. Last Monday, as we have said, passengers had to travel many miles in trucks without the slightest covering, and, as rain fell, the results to the exoursionists may be easily imagined. In other parts of the colony where trucks must be used they are covered in to some extent, and travelling is tolerable if not comfortable. It may also be stated that had tbe rain not fallen even the trucks provided woutd have beea insufficient. As we have stated this is but one instance, and others oould be quoted, notably that of the Agricultural and Pastoral Show day. The faot appears to be that the department is not aware of tbe advances being made in the district, or at any rate does not appreciate the effect upon speoial traffio and fails to make adequate provision therefor. We do not | know whether it is of any avail to onoe ; more remind the Commissioners of the oft-repeated request for a verandah at Hawera station. The inconvenience suffered during the past three days' rain has emphasised the need to passengers and all having business at the station, and we hope that befor6 the winter this really necessary adjunct will be provided.