THE RAILWAY SERVICE.

Colonist, Volume LVI, Issue 13635, 25 November 1914, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE RAILWAY SERVICE.

TAHUNANUI REQUIREMENTS

A deputation waited ujjon Mr T. Edwards, Railway Manager, yesterday afternoon, consisting of Messrs Jno. Beatson, Wells, Edridge, Bamford, ancl T. A. 11. Field.

Mr Boat-son said that the object of the deputation was to reque-st thai arrangements should, if possible, be made to have trains stop at, or near, the Annesbrqok Crossing for tho convenience of residents of Tahunanui and. North Stoke. Mr Beatson dwelt upon the inconvenience that at present attended these residents if the-y wished to make «a trip into the country by train. Th^y had either to use tho town or Stoke station, in either case a long journey. There was also the point that country residents who might wish to spend a. day at Talmna sands could hardly da, so under present arrangements if th«rf travelled by train, as Stoke station waW so far away, the drawback being much greater in the case of children. There were upwards of 140 settlers in North Stoke and roughly 300 at Tahuna, who would by the provision of the facility for train travelling asked for, and he- was sure that the convenience would lead to a great deal of additional Use of the railway. Mr Ewards .said that ho could do no more than make a report to headquarters, which he would do, so it was to be clearly understood that he did not promise anything, nor did be commit his Department in any way. He appreciated the'force of the facts that had been givon. but intimated that in any cavso it would not be at all likely that all trains could stop. At the ii'Ost, it could be certain trains. There was also to be taken into account the fact that Annesbrook Crossing was right at tho foot of the lull, and if a heavy train coming into town stopped thero it would not be possible to start straight up the hill; the train, would have to back and then go at tlio hill. That, difficulty was not", present iii /the* case of a train going out. He was in hopes in the new timo-ta-bk* of seeing the first inward train a purely passenger fast train, and that would be able to stop and then-take tho hill all right, as it would bo light.

Messrs Edridgo, We 11s, and Bamford spoke of the benefit that would-result to the Tahunanui residents if it could be arranged so that an out and in stop could bo made, so that, thosa using tho railway could go into the country and return the .same day.

Mr Field, 0:1 behalf of tho Chamber of Commerce, said that that body was in sympathy with thy request. Some day, perhaps, Hie lice would'go round tho Rocks road, Imt in tho meantime" half 11 loaf was bet Lor than no bread.

It was stated by tho deputation that a petition in support" of the request would be placed in Mr Edwards's hands later on.

In reply to Mr Boatson, Mr Edwards said that ho would arrange for onr> train to stop at or near tho crossing on Show Day, and particulars, would l>e included in the newspaper advertisement. Tlie deputation then thanked Mr Edwards and withdrew.