A SIDING WANTED ON THE LINE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3464, 24 June 1880, Page 3

A SIDING WANTED ON THE LINE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — In your last night's issue you published part of the report of the Civil Service Commission, and I notice that the Commissioners are particularly se"vere on tlae Railway Department. On the subject of railway management, with your permission, I would like to make a few remarks in reference to a grievance on our own particular line. I am told that Mr. Marnes, who has a sawmill on the main road about five miles beyond Inglewood, has been, for the last six months or more, trying in vain to get the Department to put him in a siding to his mill — he has been frequently to the engineer in charge, has written to the Government, invoked the aid of the member for his district, and urged the matter in other influential quarters, but so far to no purpose. It need scarcely be pointed out, the inconvenience and expense caused by want of this necessary piece of work, which could be done at a trifling cost to the Government, for they have merely to take the old rails from the former site; Mr. Marnes cannot do this himself, as it is against the regulations. A sawmill in a neighbourhood in full work means a deal of labor employed, and money circulated, and you would naturally think that every facility ought to be afforded in delivering the timber, moreover the railway service is intended to assist trade and encourage new settlements} not losing sight at the same time that it must be made to pay, if possible. In the case of Mr. Marnes the difference : to him between a siding or not, means the difference between the mill paying or not, as he cannot get half the trucks he requires. The few he does get have to be left in a dangerous position on the main line, and at great labour and expense the timber has to be conveyed from the mill by bullocks or horses, and handled so many times where once would do •if his old siding was removed and the trucks go right into the mill. As the above is a matter affecting a number of people, I trust you will pardon \me for occupying your space. — I am &c. , Settlek.