THE EAST LINE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume LV, Issue 90, 15 June 1925, Page 6

THE EAST LINE.

(To the Editor “Stratford Evening Post.”) Sir, —The Stratford Chamber of domnierce has among other activities for the general good nsed its beat endeavours towards urging improvement of the timetable on the East line railway. When communication Was restored after the slips, the Chamber recommended improvements of the previous timetable by Tuesdays and Saturdays’ trains arriving: xii Stratford fifteen minutes earlier in order that stock (cattle and pigs) might arrive in time for the sales attd that settlers could reach the bdnks before closing time. This was approved by the district traffic manager and carried into effect with much benefit to settlers and consequently to business people. A fur-

ther, recommendation that the train seryjcfe bfe further improved by running a train to suit the stock sales at Kohuratahi and Whangamomona was made, but was not acceded to at the time, the question being left open for . future consideration. The advantages of such a service are obvious. It would provide prospective buyers of stock with the opportunity of visiting those sales conveniently and economically, and thus

the settlers of Whangamomona district would benefit by an Increased attendance of buyers. Persons hay-

sing other business in those districts which could be completed in a few hours could attend to it and return the same day instead of taking two or perhaps three days as at present. Moreover, Ibis line is the embryo of our connection with Oluira, Waikato and Auckland, and such a service extended to Tahora would promote traffic between Taranaki and those places. The initiation and encouragement of such traffic are desirable in view of development which may be expected when the StratfordMain Trunk railway is completed. Correspondence and conferences with the district traffic manager have occurred to this end, and it Avas confidently expected that our hopes would be realised and that a train would run on Wednesday sale days. The Railway Department, however, feared that the traffic would not be sufficient to warrant the cost, and a further conference Avas held. A proposal that the Monday service be extended to Tahora and return therefrom be delayed oftpred tbe likeliest solution of the difficulty. The Traffic manager approved, and Avhat difficulties there Avere may have been overcome. The Chamber of Commerce was negotiating to this end. At this stage strong objection Avas made to the alteration of Monday’s service by the Inglewood Bacon Company, and to-day the chairman of the Stratford Dairy Factory Company advised me that his company has also forwarded a protest. The present Monday service suits those two companies respectively for the railage of pigs and cream, and the proposed alteration off timetable would dislocate their arrangements. Your readers Avho are interested in this matter will readily understand that the influence of a Chamber of Commerce is strictly of an advisory nature, and is founded in undivided public opinion and that Avhen important division of opinion or interests arises a chamber’s influence should be suspended.—l am. et®„ ,T. B. RICHARDS. Stratford, 13th June, 1,925.