OTAGO BRANCH LINES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21147, 3 October 1930, Page 6

OTAGO BRANCH LINES.

COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATIONS. - DRASTIC CURTAILMENTS. INSUFFICIENT SUPPORT FORTHCOMING. (Special to Daily Tikes.) . WELLINGTON, October 2. The Railways Commission summarises its findings concerning the Otago branch lines as follows: Kurow Branch.—The commission recommends that the. present passenger service he discontinued and tha> a mixed goods train ho run daily, which train will he substituted for the present passenger .and goods service. It is further recommended that the line from Kurow to Hukatanunea be lifted, unless a satisfactory arrangement can be made with the local bodies concerned to bear a higher proportion of the cost of repairs to the bridges over the Waitaki River (saving £IBOO per annum). Ngapara-Livingstone Branch.—The commission recommends that the train services on the Windsor-Tokarahi section, which have already beeti discontmued, be not reinstated (saving £2OOO per annum). ■ Waihemo Branch.—The commission recommends that, provided the patronage given to this line no alteratloJ? bo made to the present services. Otago Central Line.—The commission recommends that the present winter time table bo, operated, throughout the year. This will nave the effect of materially reducing the train mileage and will enable savings to be effected in the staff (saving £3OOO per annum). Branch.—This is an instance of a service in excess of requirements, •the evidence submitted showed that the minimum service required was one train each way per day, or a total of 12 trains commission recommends that the locomotive depot at Outram be closed and the staff transferred, arrangements" to be made for a goods service ' hieet the local requirements of the district (saving £SOO per annum). Roxburgh Branch.—The commission recommends that between Lawrence and Roxburgh goods traffic be catered for and that between Lawrence and Milton goods be cat^ ed for » with a provision that on one day per week a passenger, service be provided. There docs not appear to be much possibility * ncreafi ® ■in traffic taking place other than by the elimination of motor traffic, and if it is found that full supnot being given to the railway the commission further recommends that the rates on this branch for the convey, apee of low class goods and fruit be increased. ” Gatlins River Branch.--The commissJon is of opinion that no decrease in the time table should be made at prosent, hut that the position be reviewed at definite periods with a view to taking action and curtailing services'if no improvement results. •