THE FERRY SERVICE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8662, 17 August 1908, Page 6

THE FERRY SERVICE.

MAKING READY FOR THE MUN TRUNK. The Minister for Railways (Hon. HallJones) has promised tho public of New Zealand that regular through traffic over the Main Trunk lino will bo commencedin November, and all work in connection with the consummation of that important project is being tackled methodically and earnestly with that end in view. A chief factor in the utility of the new railway system for mail and commercial purposes—which may bo one and the same thing—is the matter of connection. In the case of Wellington, there will be no difficulty whatever if the time-table outlined by tho Government is adhered to. As a matter of fact there will be a great deal more timo for the handling of through mails, or "through" anything cLse when the Main Trunk service is established than is now tho case. According to tho new time-table the express train that is to leave Auckland at 8.30 p.m. will arrive in Wellington at 3 p.m. to oatch the ferry steamer leaving five hours later—at 8 p.m.; whereas there is a much closer connection at present, as the train from New Plymouth, which connects with the 8 o'clock boat, does not arrive in Wellington until 7.20 p.m. The five hours' wait at Wellington in the Main_ Trunk service seems to be a weakness in tho system, but is not ono that can be easily avoided. With the express arriving at 3 p.m., the commercial public will bo able to receive their Northern mail before 5 p.m., and answer it tho same night or the next morning in time to catch the express leaving for the North at noon. THE FERRY SIDE-TRACK. A start has already been made in tho direction of making a clearance of those lands (vested in tho Railway Department), which front on to Waterloo Quay, to provide for a side-track that will branch off from the main Government line at Thorndon Quay and cross the intervening lands to the King's Wharf, where it is understood the ferry steamers are to be berthed. Tho land in question has several occupiers who are under notice to quit. The line of the wharf side-track is to travel through the yard I now occupied by the Post Office stores department, and the principal work there has been the" removal of a number of huge tanks, in which is stored the emergency supply of cable in readiness for shipment at any timo. These are beimj moved to a site iieurer Pipitea Point, and arrangements are being made to provide means of transferring the cable from the new yards to the steamer that will tie up against the breastwork between the King's and tho prospective ferro-ooncreto wharf. Norton's boatshed. and Dimock's factory (either the whole or a part) are also to bo removed so that the best curve may be obtained for tho line that is to rim the "Great Northern" express down to tho ship's side. —Dominion.