FINAL TRIAL

Hokitika Guardian, 10 December 1934, Page 7

FINAL TRIAL

NELSON RAILWAY SERVICE

NELSON, December 6,

When the Nelson trail way service was reorganised on a restricted basis some time ago the Railways Board, made it plain that the line w:as on its final trial. If its revenue did not increase there would be no alternative but to close down a section. Thai, the threat of the Luthoritu s was not an idle statement was stressed at yesterday’s meeting of the Nelson Provincial Progress League, whicjli body has prepared a report placing the position before the public and in addition lias submitted for investigation by the board a proposal for uu.rth.er oa-'ordination, of road nnd rail transport by a. train carrying loaded lorries from Glenhope to Nelson.

Mr F. G. Gibbs, chairman of the committee ' responsible for the report on the railway, said that the committee had met with a feeling that the threat of closing the railway was only bluff, but he assured the meeting ghat it was serious. The matter was important and it was felt that a further effort to retain the service should be nirdc. It was no use waiting, said Mr Gibb, until it was closed and then experiencing a detrimental effect from such action.

The committee considered that the report should be printed and distributed to all who had any influence in the transport of goods between tihe Duller Valley and Nelson. Hopes were held, continued Mr G'ibb, that road and rail transport services could be very much co-or-dinated and a preposition bad been made to the Railways Board that it might be possible to run loaded motor-lorries on to rai.wav trucks at Glenhope and. run them to Nelson Wiicre they could be driven off the trucks for the delivery of the goods. The adoption of such a scheme would eliminate extra handlings of goods carried and if suitable car freight charges could be decided upon, the scheme would keep hca'l loads off the road and give the railway more revenue.

A pronosal had already been placed before the board urging its investigation, but as yet no reply had been received.

Mr L. Baigent said the scheme proposed was used in America and on the Continent and he thought to some extent in the North Island.

The proposal had been given much consideration and would allow motor carriers to live as well as assisting the railway. The meeting unanimously decided that strong representations be made to the authorities urging investigation of the proposal that loaded lorries be carried on the train and that if necessary a. deputation wait on the Railways Board in Wellington.