THE RAILWAY COMMISSIONERS AND THE KAUKAPAKAPA LINE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9477, 5 April 1894, Page 6

THE RAILWAY COMMISSIONERS AND THE KAUKAPAKAPA LINE.

Messrs. Scott and Ronaynk, the new Railway Commissioners, were at Helensville on Saturday forenoon to hear what the settlers had to say in reference to railway matters. They were accompained by Mr. Hudson, the district manager. Messrs. Dye, James Drinnan, and R. Sinclair waited on the Commissioners as a deputation from this district. The two former, accompanied by Mr. Downer, of Helensville, represented the timber trade, Mr. Sinclair, county and road matters. Mr. Dye said the present rates for hauling timber across the line from Helensville to Auckland were ls4d per 100 feet, and 3d for slip and loadingchargea, making a total of ls7d per 100 feet. This left little or no profit to the producer. But in addition to this they were still more heavily handicapped in the measurement. If a log measured say 12 feet 7 inches in length, the Railway Department charged it as 13 feet. When the log was sold at the mill it was only reckoned as 12 feet, and paid for as such. This on a number of logs soon told up. . Mr. Dye produced an account of '200,000 odd feet of timber he had sent to Auckland recently, which showed a difference in measurement of 19,000 feet between the Railway Department and the mill to which he sold. The mill measurement was what he got paid for, but he had to pay the twilway freight on the 19,000 feet all the same. Mr. Dye said he simply brought this forward to show how heavily handicapped they were. Messrs. Drinnan and Downer spoke to the same purpose. Tbedeputatiou hoped theCommissionera would see their way to reduce the freight to Is per 100 feet. After a good deal of conversation, to which the Commissioners listened most attentively, they replied that they could not give an answer right off-hand, but they would give the matter their best consideration, ana forward a reply. The present rate for a truck of firewood was '295. That was prohibitory, and as a consequence there was no trade in that article from here. If the rate were reduced to 18s, there would be a large trade in firewood, which would likewise bring a return traffia This and other matters of minor importance the Commissioners promised to duly consider.

Thd question of carrying gravel for the County Council, and depositing it at points along the line where it could be conveniently carted on to the road, was referred to. After some consideration, it was arranged that this could be done. If Mr. Sinclair could arrange with Mr. Coom as to the time, etc., there would be no difficulty in the matter. Mr. Sinclair pointed out that under the present regulations the Railway Department charged as much (2s per yard) to carry a truck load of gravel one mile as it did to carry it ten miles. He thought this should be altered. Most of the gravel he would require for some time would bo from two to five miles along the line. If the rate could be reduced it would be a great saving of public money. This would also be considered, and a reply sent. With regard to a Monday morning train leaving Kaukapakapa, the same as on Fridays, in additiou to the present service, which would not be disturbed, Mr. Hudson said he would have no objection if it would pay. It was purely a question of extra time for the men. He would see what could be done, and might probably give it a trial. In regard to shortening the time between Kaukapakapa and Auckland, he said it could not be done unless the train was run as a passenger train only, and that would not pay, as there were too few passengers. It was different on the Meroer and Waikato trains.

The deputation thanked the Commissioners for their patient hearing and withdrew.— [Own Correspondent].