THE TAIHOA TRAIN

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8736, 19 May 1914, Page 6

THE TAIHOA TRAIN

FOUND IN THE SOUTH WAIL OP A WEARY WAITER IN ELLESMERE. The Hon. IV. H. Herncs, Minister for Railways, accompanied by Mr E. H. Hiley, General Mahager of Railways, paid a visit to Southbridge, in ‘the Ellesmere district, last Tuesday. (As this town is in tho Hon. R. H. Rhodes’s electorate, the Ministerial visit was looked forward to with plca'snrablo anticipation; for a number of matters have been agitating the inhabitants for some time past, and it was thought that with a Reform 1 Government in office and represented in Parliament by the Postmaster-General, they would at least get something for tho asking. The outcome of the matted is thus referred to by tho “Ellcs'mero Guardian”:—

Southbridgo had a great honour conferred upon it last Tuesday afternoon For twenty minutes, less or more, tho Hon. W. H. Hcrries, Minister for Railways, and Mr E. H. Hiley, General Manager, accompanied by several departmental officers, stood upon its platform, varied by a walk round the pig and sheep pons. Of course, there wore tho inevitable deputations present, from tho Town Board and County Council, to wait -upon and confer with tho honourable gentleman. It was quite evident that the members of these deputations looked upon the occasion as an auspicious event. Each felt his individual responsibility, and all experienced that tho future of Southbridge, in several respects, was Uvrapt up in tho impending proceedings. It is not necessary on all occasions to wear an air of unusual importance, but in the present instance a point was reached where it befitted the circumstances. Immediately prior to the arrival of the special train every unit comprising the deputations _ was •charged with an individual significance equal to the approaching moment and what that moment contained, which, on their arrival, the honourable gentleman could not fail to recognise and be proportionately impressed thereby. The chairman of tho Southbridge Town Board introduced each member of the deputations to the Minister for Railways, tho General Manager, and the departmental officers, and, as was to be expected, they were received in silence. When at length speech was found, the precious moments were utilised to the best advantage. It was evidoift that as soon as the distinguished visitors stepped on to the platform they gave evidence of restlessness or impatience, or both, but no'cause was stated, so the pleaders for reforms were left to make the most of their conflicting summings. The chief purpose of the members of che deputations was to impress the Government’s representatives with the desirability and possibility of a faster passenger train service between Southbridge and Christchurch, and vice versa. The Hon. W. H. Herries smiled down upon the depntationists with a smile without a nod, but the altering of the time-table to suit did not seem, from onr impression, to be so manageable in his eyes. It would, however, give us pleasure to be mistaken on this latter point. It is quite comforting to know that one generation of railway managers differs on essential points from another. The Hon. Mr Millar told a deputation some years ago • that tho Southbridge train could not be run faster as the hearings and brasses would become overheated by the extra effort. But w© are now assured on the authority of the new General Manager that no such danger would eventuate if’ the train was encouraged to get over its work half an hour sooner than at present. That is an important point gained by the ■ speed-up advocates. It is probable, too, that the new General Manager of Railways sees that there is more danger of the oil in the engine bearings freezing than blazing, although he did not mention the fact. ’

The advantages of a faster train service a/e manifest and obvious. The general travelling public would not dread the journey from Southbridge to Christchurch and back if the train were permitted to make its way hither and thither with' a little more speed and a little less loitering at intervening stations to keep in tune with the time-table. Farm hands along the line would not" waste so much time looking at the passing of the train if it did not take so long to do so. It would put more soul into the men at the engine and the guards if the thing they manage were made to go a little faster. The officers in the station at this end of the line would get home to their homes and families half an hour sooner, and so make their lives more worth living ; mails would be in the hands of business men and others thirty minutes in advance of what they are now. It appears to us that granted a real Pive up-to-date passenger train service the other things would soon be granted unto us—houses for railway officials and improved stock yards. In the meantime w© must take what comfort we can from the assurance of the Hon. Mr Herries that all these matters are under careful consideration at Government headquarters, Wellington.