RAILWAY MATTERS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8842, 6 April 1909, Page 7

RAILWAY MATTERS

DISCUSSED BY THE CHAMBER

OF COMMERCE

At last night's meeting of the Chamber of Commerce a good deal of correspondence was received in connection with railway facilities.

The Carriers' Association, Palmerston, Wrote calling attention to the want of a signalriian at the Cookstreet railway crossing; also pointing out that great delay was experienced through trains standing over that crossing. The letter suggested'that a deputation be sent to the Minister , for Railways.

As Palmerston crossings generally, were under the consideration of the Minister, it was decided to postpone action till his reply was received to the suggestions made by the recent deputation which waited on him.

. Correspondence"' was, read which had been passed between Mr C. E. Dempsey and others and the Minister for Railways, in reference to the delay constantly occurring in forwarding goods to Wellington by rail. The Minister had replied that lie was looking into the .matter. Mr Dempseyasked that the Chamber take the matter up. Members considered the Minister was doing his best to put the railway service on a business-like footing, _ and _it was decided to hold consideration of Mr Dempsey's correspondence <3ver till he received further communication from the Minister.

The Carterton. Chamber of Commerce wrote in reference to the cumbersome way in. which' the timetable worked, and stated that it had made representations to the Minister on the matter. The Minister replied that he was making inquiry into the whole question of time-table. - ■ The President stated that lie had had a conversation with Sir William Russell on the .question of connection between the East and West Coasts, and Sir William considered the present arrangements were both inconvenient and cumbersome. They were decidedly unsatisfactory as far as Hawke's Bay was concerned. Sir William expressed the opinion that traffic from Napier going north or south should come through Palmerston, which was decidedly the better route for them. He thought the representatives of the Hawke's Bay Chambers would attend the conference on May 11th, and the subject could then be dealt with.

It was decided to refer the matter of train arrangements ? to. the May Conference, which .will' have representatives attending from all the Chambers south of Marton and from Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa.

THE EAST COAST RAILWAY. Another letter was received from the East .Coast Railway League, putting forward the claims of a railway to connect, Napier and Gisborne, and eventually go on to Tauranga. Captain Preece said that he had brought up the question at a previous meeting, and he thought the matter should receive the attention of the Chamber , as. the "country, the railway would open up was extensive and valuable.

Mr Gibbons said he was one who previously opposed the scheme, but since theii he had found- out that the railway would strike inland, and would therefore open up a large tract of country. He thought now that the scheme should receive the assistance of the Palmerston Chamber ;as

far as possible, and moved "That now that sufficient data had been placed before them the Chamber wc-uld bo pleased to assist in forwarding the claims of the scheme." Captain Preece seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimous-

Mr Eliott also stated that he was one of those who had originally voted against the scheme, but after going into the question he had changed his opinion on the matter.