DEPUTATION REGARDING RAILWAY MATTERS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume I, Issue 30, 6 December 1878, Page 2

DEPUTATION REGARDING RAILWAY MATTE RS .

I . " Yesterday, Mv Lawson, Commissioner of Railways for tlio North Lslan 1, who was on ' a visit to Foxbon,attended at Messrs Thyuae | Tjintou <fc Go's oillcc,to receive a deputation I ! regarding railway matters. | | Mr Thyima introduced tho deputation, which comprised Messrs Thynnc, Flowor, Cook, Thompson, C'rowtlier, und Hussoll. I Mr Thynna pointed out the necessity of more; frcijuent communication by rail. A ! mid-day train was needed. A public meeting had asked for extra, facilities, an 1 Hio Government had promised that when the Fe.ilhor.ston lilio was opened, an cngiuo would be tent up. j Me Lawaon replied that as soon as the Thorudoii reclamation at 'Wellington was done, a Fairlio engine would be sent to this district, for which it was originally intpnded. He hid been surprisad to hear so few "specials" had been asked for at Foxton. Mr Thynne pointed out that extra conveniences would creato a larger traffic. He also remarked on tho difference of time, according to present arrangements, taken to accomplish the journey from end to end of tho line. Mr Lawson said if tho morning train were made a fast one, the goods could not be brought down until night. Tho difference in grade would account for tho disparity in time. He thought, however, ten minutes might be saved. Mr Eus>sell remarked that would not be worth altering the time-table for. What the people this end wanted was, a train to reach Foxton oarly in the day,and to leave about uoon,so tLat cargo for the updistricLs arriving per steamer in tho morning could be despatched and delivered tho same day. At present the train only arrived 1\ hemrd before tho Banks closed. Mr Lawson thought a train should start from Halcombo and reach Foxton about 10 a.m. "Would the people givo up the early train from Foxton V Mr Flower replied certainiy not. A train to bring tho people in early was absolutely necessury. Air Rotherham said that after tho Fairlio arrived it would take about a month to get everything ready, and then he would isiiuo a new time-table, giving a midday train to this end of the line. Mr Ihynne asked, was not extra labour and overtime frequently noressary.to enable tho goods to bo despatched per iirdt train from Foxton. Mr Rotherham replied ho had given instructions to tho officials to engage any labor necessary to expedite tho despatch of goods. Mr Flower asked was it impossible for the middny Palmerstou train to come on to Foxton. Mr Eotherham replied if that were done, the engine would have to run 1 72 miles per day, whereas 100 miles per day is the regulation speed in England ; at present the engines ran 124 miles each day. Mr Lawson said no doubt the engines at present do full work. Mr Flower asked what was to bo done regarding storage charges. He thought some allowance should be made where the detention was owing to causes beyond the control of tho shippers. Mr Lawson said they had determined to charge storage, if the shippers occupied the room through missing an opportunity of shipment. Where produce of any kind was delayed through unforesseen circumstances, so charge would be made. Me Russell pointed out the unfair nature of the wharf charges, as no schedule had

I been drawn up, and upon all goods of whatever kind a lump sum of 3s Gd was charged. Mr Lawson was not hitherto aware that such was tho easj, but thought it a groat injustice. Immediately upon his roturn to Wellington,ho would have th> matter ijoue into and rectified. Ho thought it absurd to charge 3s b'd p^r ton whiu'fugo on coals. Mr Thompson thought light should pay loss wharfage than heavy, and that goods sent to tho up-country districts pjr train should not be charged so much as ' those for FoxtonMr Thynne asked if any facilities would be given for shippers to put their stuff down on the wharf themselves, and to receive it at tho edge of the wharf, instead of at the sheds. Mr Kotherham said if the shippers would take the whole responsibility, he would bo very glad; it would save them Is Odfor handling the goods. Mr Ilussell said the sheds should be down by the wharf, between the bank and the new part of the wharf. Consignees could then receive their goods straight from the ship's side. Mr liothorhain said if that were don- 1 , it would savo the Government one half tho present expoasa. Mr Lawson said ho was thoroughly convinced the sheds ought to be near t'ae wharf, and that when he got to Wellington ho would urge Mr Blackctl-, the Engineer, I to have tho work done at one. i Mr Flower said that tho wharf sheds j wei-3 part of tho £1-3,000 scheme. j Hearty thanks were tendered by tho deputation to Messrs Lawsou and liotherham for their courtesy, and the assistance j they promised to afford tho residents in the I matters disoussod. The deputation then withdrew.