RAILWAY TIME-TABLES

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7019, 6 January 1910, Page 7

RAILWAY TIME-TABLES

CONFERENCE AT MASTEETON. REQUIREMENTS OF THE DISTRICT DISCUSSED. PROM CUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. MASTEKTON, January 5. The railway time-table as it, affects the Woiraxapa and Forty Mile Bush districts was further discussed to-day at a conference of delegates of chambers of commerce in the Wairarapa and Forty Male Bush. Mr J. B. Moodie, president of the Mostertxm Chamber of Commerce, presided, ■and there were also present delegates from Puhiatua, Eketahuna and Mastei;ton.

The chairman said the present service ■was inadequate. Wairarapa was being sacrificed for Palmerston North and the Main Trunk. Wairarapa was practically now only a branch line. The; Wairarapa was a most important district, and needed an efficient service. Napier residents also, suffered, and ; from representations mado to the Minister of Railways it was understood that the matter would receive consideration. He read a letter from Mr Granby, of Napier, dealing wit, the service Us regards Hawke's Bay. (The letter appeared in ■ yesterday's '‘Times.") A further letter was received from Mr Granby, containing a suggested time-table, which was open to further amendment in the event of it not being suitable to the Wairarapa and Forty Milo Busn. -He enclosed a 1 time-table Us follows:—Referring only to mail trains south via Monawatu—Napier depart 9.2..1 a.m.: Woodville arrive 1.30 pan. (change for Wairarapa); depart for Xulmerston at 2.5 pan.; Palmerston arrive, 3.5 p.m. —connects Auckland express; depart 3.15 p.m. from Palmerston; arrive at Wellington, 6.55 pan. North via. Manawatu —Wellington depart, 8.10 a.m.; Palmerston arrive, 11.58 a.m.; depart, 12.40 p.m., connect with Auckland express; Woodville arrive, 1.45 p.m'. (change for Wairarapa); depart from Woodville, 2.10 p.m.; arrive at Napier, ,6.30 p.m. OcusideiUble discussion, took place, it being generally agreed that an alteration. must take place, os the present time-table was proving a serious matter for business men and the travelling public. Mr PronderviUe, Ekotahuna, moved: "That the pfissenger train from Wellington in the morning, and the 1.20 p.m. train from Woodville to Wellington, should be express trains,, arriving at each cad ten or fifteen minutes earlier than at present." After discussion, the motion was amended in the following direction:—"That the train now leaving Woodville at 1.20 pan., connecting with, the Napier express, arrive in Wellington in time to connect with the southern ’ ferry service; Und that it be a mail train." The motion was carried. ' rJl ° following resolution, proposed by Daniell, •Masteriton, tv as carried; ‘That tlie morning passenger traaii from Wellington be,so run through Wairarapa as to make connection with the north mail to Auckland, leaving Palmerston at 3.45 p.m., and that the train be made a mail train."

There waa considerable discussion over the newly-established 5.30 a.m. train from Cross Creek.

Mr J. I). Cruickshank said it was no use to anybody. Mi- Daniell moved—" That the 0.30 a.m.

train from Masterton be re-established." The motion was carried. Mr Page, Eketahuna, moved—" That the train leaving Wellington at 3.36 p.m. and reaching Masterton at 8 p.m. , be continued to Woodville, and return next day to Wellington, reaching the latterplace not later than noon.” Mr Carey moved as an amendment—- " That the old early morning train from Woodville, which left there at 6.10 a.m, and arrived in Masterton. at Will, be reestablished." ’ ■ ■ The amendment was ultimately carried. Mr Carey moved—" That the old early morning train leaving Wellington at 4.5 a.m. and arriving in Masterton at 9.45 a.m., and leaving thence for the Bush at 10 a.m. bo re-established; this to replace the train leaving Cross Creek at' 5.30 a.m. We cannot lay too much stress on the importance of the connection asked for as from a mail point of view." Mr Pago heartily supported the motion, but at the same time ■he did not consider the Hon. J. A.'Millar would grant it, , as it meant an extra train. The motion was seconded by Mr Daniell and carried. Mr Pago moved "That the resolutions passed at this meeting be circulated amongst all of the Chambers of Commerce. and local bodies between Woodvine and Cross Creek, and that a further meeting be called on January 19th to consider and finally decide on them. The motion was lost. It was decided on the motion of Mr IRtehardpon,—"That while appreciating the efforts of the department to economise byputting goods through Palmerston, attention be called to the delay, and congestion of traffic at Palmerston, goods from Wellington to Pahiatua often being delayed five and six days.” It was decided that a deputation, in conjunction with the Napier Chamber of Commerce, consisting of the Chambers of Commerce or local bodies between Woodville and Featherston, proceed to Wellington and present the resolutions passed by the conference to the Minister for Railways.