Manawatu Evening Standard. Circulation, 3,500 Copies Daily. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1910. THE RAILWAY SERVICE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 9138, Issue 9138, 10 February 1910, Page 4

Manawatu Evening Standard. Circulation, 3,500 Copies Daily. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1910. THE RAILWAY SERVICE.

A vert representative conference last night discussed the new railway service as it affected Palmerston. There were present members of the Chamber of Commerce, the Borough Council, the Stock Auctioneers' Association, and the Wool Buyers' Association, and representatives of various other business interests. From the discussion it appeared that Palmerston has less to complain of in regard to the alterations than most towns. In one very important particular, however, the running of the new trains does not suit, and that is in regard to the stock sales. Previously, as we pointed out soon after the inception of the service, the Wairarapa. and Hawke's Bay buyers as far as Waipukurau were able to reach Palmerston in time for the stock sales which commence before noon. Now the first trains from those places do not arrive here until one o'clock and later. Already a detrimental effect has been noticed on the local sales, the buyers being prevented from attending, even though, owing to the higher prices on the eastern side of the ranges, there is every inducement for them to come to Palmerston. Then, as was also pointed out last night, trains arriving in Palmerston in the mornings are good for the retailers, as they enable the country people to spend an hour or two in the transaction of business. The convenient trains that were previously on the timetable have been replaced by a service that no one can understand the reason for. For instance, instead of the. train that formerly arrived in Palmerston shortly after eleven from Waipukurau, giving a connection with Hawke's Bay, there is now one train leaving Dannevirke and arriving in Palmerston at 9.15 a.m., a perfectly useless arrangement, and another train leaving Waipukurau at 6.'30

a.m., getting to Woodville at 10.25 a.m. and stopping there. The Dannevirke train, for all the good it is, could easily be abolished the Waipukurau train run through to Palmerston. Then , with regard to the Wairarapa a train comes to Palmerston from Cross 1 Creek, too late to .be of any instead of the old Masterton train. This service was put on in answer to the demand for a connection with the southern Wairarapa, | but its utility is very doubtful. If I there was a connection between Masterton and the Waipukurau train at Woodville Palmerston's needs would be well served,' and the influential deputation that will wait on the Minister will a6k for alterations on these lines. The requests are so reasonable that it is difficult to see how they can be refused.

The meeting also discussed the condition of the Palmerston station, some severe but well-merited .comments being passed upon the inadequacy of the public offices.- There was a feeling, however, that the deputation should confine itself to the matter of the time-table on this occasion, but the desirability of mentioning Palmerston's requirements was left to a sub-committee to decide. As we stated some days ago, the Minister for Railways, when "in Palmerston last, had with him the plans of the proposed alterations to the station, so that it is evident something is to be done. No doubt Mr Millar will be able to give the deputation information of the proposed improvements and the time appointed for carrying them out.