BUSTLE AT THE STATION

Taranaki Daily News, 11 May 1933, Page 6

BUSTLE AT THE STATION

IMPROVEMENTS TO THE YARD. STRATFORD TRAFFIC INCREASE.' Prior to the completion of the Strat-ford-Main Trunk railway line the Stratford station yard did not offer much in the way of interest to the passenger waiting for a train. A marked" difference is apparent now. There is activity on all sides. Where once one or perhaps two lines of trucks stood almost desolately in the yard, anything up to six sets of rails now accommodate strings of trucks. The yard never lacks an engine hauling a rake of trucks. The bystander can easily find more than shunting operations to occupy his attention, for the increase of traffic resulting on the opening, of the new line has demanded better shunting facilities, and to that end work has been proceeding for some time. In one place a new line is being laid; in another can be seen a gang of men busy installing a set of points, while elsewhere old. sidings are being tom up and re-laid so as to fit more efficiently into the general scheme of things. No comer of the yard appears to be free of a gang of men or a steam crane, and where the extra track is being laid across Fenton Street only half the street is open to traffic. To those who ridiculed last year the supposition that the new line would mean a big increase in traffic at Stratford a visit to the station yard is commended. Bustle is the all-pervading note, and when the programme of work is completed Stratford will have a> station yard as efficient as it is possible to make it taking • into consideration the limited space available. ELTHAM BOY SCOUTS. At the last committee meeting of the Eltham Boy Scouts the resignation of Cubmaster G. Morton was received. He said he was unable to devote the necessary time to the boys. Mr. J. Rowe was appointed cubmaster. Scoutmaster Blackman reported that no members of the troop would attend the winter camp at Stratford as he did not favour a winter camp for boys. The committee agree that camps should not be held so late in the season. Mr. Linnell reported that a profit of £1 12 had been received from a dance held at Ngaere.