MANAWATU HEADS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 43, 20 January 1926, Page 8

MANAWATU HEADS.

SUNDAY EXCURSIONS.

DISCUSSION AT FOXTON.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

At the meeting of tho Foxton Chamber of Commerce the president (Mr A. E. Adniore), referring to Sunday railway excursions from Palmerston North, said that there had been somo dissatisfaction and misunderstanding in connection with the conveyance of passengers from the railway station to tho seaside. He pointed out that in order to make the excursions permanent something definite would have to be done t in connection with the transport of passengers at a fixed and reasonable fare. The Railway Department charged 2s 9d return for a distance of 48 miles, and he was of of opinion that a reasonable charge from Foxton station to the beach would be Is, but it was optional for local carriers to charge what they liked. When ho conferred with the railway officials no definite arrangement was entered into to convey -passengers, to the seaside, but it was verbally agreed that the carriage of passengers should bo Is. Mr J. K. Hornblow said the Railway Department had definitely advertised that the return fare from the railway terminus to tho seaside would be Is. Surprise had been expressed by certain passengers that an amount in excess of this had been charged. Ho moved “that this chamber expresses its appreciation of the Railway Department’s action in run*ning excursions from Palmerston North to Foxton, and in order to make more satisfactory arrangements for the conveyance of passengers from the railway terminus to the seaside, the department contract with somo carrying firm and that tho total charge be included in tho railway faro; also that the chamber undertakes to assist the department in this matter.” This motion was seconded by the president and carried unanimously. On the motion of Mr H. Osborne, it was decided to ask the Railway Department to issue week-end tickets from Palmerston No h to Foxton. Mr H. Hornblow (stationmaster) said that he had already' recommended that this be done.

It was pointed out that several passengers had recently failed to connect with the Foxton train at Palmerston North owing to the allegedly insufficient notification of tho time and departing place of the train at the station.

A lengthy discussion took place in relerenco to loading facilities at the seaside and it was decided to urge upon the Harbour Board the desirability for the completion of the road connection leading to the sanatorium and river foreshore, as at full tide the road outlet to and from the river foreshore is impassablo to traffic, whereas the completion of tho road already formed would provide a permanent and safe means of traffic. Mr McMurray (a member of tho Harbour Board) said the matter would be dealt with at tho next meeting of tho Harbour Board. It was decided to consider some means of giving greater publicity to tho Foxton beach as a seaside resort, as its advantages are not sufficiently known outside the Manawatu district.

It was stated, however, that there was insufficient accommodation at tho seaside at present to meet the demand for houses and that it would bo a payable proposition for tho Harbour Board or private enterprises to construct a kiosk with sleeping cubicles attached.

It was decided to write to schools throughout the surrounding districts recommending the beach as a suitable place for the holding of school sports.