RAILCAR TOUR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22461, 3 July 1936, Page 14

RAILCAR TOUR

MINISTER'S BUSY DAY

HURRIED AUCKLAND VISIT

DEPUTATIONS MET EN ROUTE

STATIONS AND CROSSINGS

Concluding the first 1000 miles of a North Island Jour, the Minister of Railways, the Hon. 1"). G. Sullivan, and his party, reached Auckland in the now railcar at 6.38 last evening. They had spent the entire day in travelling from Frankton, numerous stops and inspections being made on the way. At practically all points on the main lino crowds of people assembled to inspect and applaud tho new vehicle. At Huntly the Ministerial party left tho. car and made a trip to Glen Afton by special train to inspect the coalscreening plant. Stops were made at To Kauwhata, Mercer, Buekland, Pukckoho and Tuakau, where deputations wero received, and brief halts were also made at Papatoetoo and Otahuhu. On reaching Auckland the oflieial party was met by Mr. W. T. Anderton, M.l\, a member of the Auckland City Council, who represented the Mayor, Mr. Ernest Davis, in tho hitter's unavoidable absence. They had a hasty meal at tho station dining room and left by the limited express. Tho Minister will return in time to commence a tour of North Auckland on Monday, and in the meantime the car will receive a slight overhaul. New Station Wanted At Huntly yesterday requests for a now station building and improved facilities for the staff, passengers and the handling of merchandise were made to the Minister. The Mayor of Huntly, Mr. C. W. E. George, said the present buildings, which wore about 40 years old, were totally inadequate for the volume of traffic. There wore practically no waiting-rooms. About £16,000 had been spent on improved sidings, but other facilities wero lacking.

"From the figures available," said Mr. George, "wo find that Hiintlv is the third best-paying station in New Zealand, yet there are finer station buildings on the Auckland deviation where there is practically no trade and weeds are growing between the rails." He also asked that the morning train to the mines in Pukemiro and other districts be made definitely a passenger train instead of a mixed one.

The deputy-Mayor Mr. G. Shaw, said the business men also desired improved facilities for the delivery of merchandise. More trade would accrue to the department if a local delivery servico between the station and bijsiness establishments was provided. At present possibly a good deal of trado was diverted to road transport on account of the handicaps mentioned. "Huntly feels it is the Cinderella of the railway service," said the Hon. W. Lee Martin, member for the district. The request was, in his view, one that could easily bo justified. Claims to be Considered "You tell me the Prime Minister gave you a promise prior to the return of the present Government that, if elected. your request would be granted." said Mr. Sullivan. "That being so. then the Government and f, as Minister of Railways, will see that it is honoured." The department had its difficulties, however', and it had suffered from merciless competition during recent years. He would appreciate the support of the business people of the district. "In a reasonable period of time, I hope to he 'able to carry out the promise given to you by the Prime Minister," concluded Mr Sullivan. The claims of the district would bo considered when the allocation of monev for new statious was being undertaken. At Tuakau and Buckland deputations asked for the construction of overhead traffic bridges, stating that recently fatal accidents had occurred at each crossing. "The Government is tremendously impressed with the necessity to eliminate railway crossings, and it is now considering proposals of' an extensive nature to meet the position." said the Minister. There was a wrong impression abroad that the elimination of crossings was purely a matter for the Railway Department. It would bankrupt. the railway system if the department was to meet the cost of such improvements. Both the department and the Main Highways Board were doing their share in crossing elimination. "Apart altogether from that, however," Mr. Sullivan added, "the Government is giving consideration to a comprehensive plan for the improvement of crossings." It was a huge task, as more than 1500 crossings were required. Tin/e was needed to complete the planning of such an extensive scheme, but, it would bo expedited as much as possible.