Improving Trucking Facilities

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 46, 25 February 1936, Page 3

Improving Trucking Facilities

SOUGHT FOR FEILDING RAILWAY STATIONS The case for improved trucking facilities for live stock at the Feilding railway station was represented by Mr G. J. Fitzpatrick at last evening’s meeting of the Feilding Chamber of Commerce. He said it was unnecessary for him to remind members of the importance of Feilding as a live stock centre, nor to mention that large numbers of stock were handled at tho station. The existing facilities, coupled with the fact that the bulk of the sheep were now transported to the station by motor truck, wero entirely inadequate and he would move that tho Railw'ay Board be written to urging an immediate improvement. Mr D. Finlay, stationmaster, said that the question of effecting improvements with tho loading arrangements for live stock at tho station was before the Railway Department, two officers of which would bo visiting Feilding to-day to meet the interested parties. He admitted that the marked increase in the use of motor trucks for tho transport of sheep to and from the railway had made obvious the necessity for alterations and improvements and he had been advised that .the traffic manager and district engineer from Wanganui would be visiting the town and wished to meet representatives of tho stock firms. Mr Fitzpatrick said he was prepared to alter his motion to provide that live stock representatives be asked to meet the Railway Department officials. He certainly thought that the drovers should be consulted as they were the men who had to handle sheep. Mr A. J. Kellow agreed that there ivas need for considerable improvement, mentioning that the existing facilities were far short of what they should be for a stock centre such as Feilding. If possible the opinions of _ drovers should be obtained before the improvements were put in hand. It was agreed that Messrs Kellow and Eliott, together with one or two drovers, meet the railway officials this morning.