THE EFFECT OF PRUNING.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 13991, 24 August 1909, Page 2

THE EFFECT OF PRUNING.

WELCOME CHANGE IN RAILWAY ; , FINANCE. WAYSIDE STATIONS. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, August 28. ''It appears to me to be unnecessary in many rases to provide a dafy goods service for oil the small wayside stationß in New Zealand," remarked the Hon. J. A. Millar, Minister for Railways, to a Now Zealand Times reporter , yesterday. ''A considerable saving can ' be effected by fixing some ' of these services at so many days por week. At present goods are consigned to small ■ flag stations whenever they are received. Perhaps a tou of goods goes out in a ten-ton truck, which waits'! four or five days at the small station. Thus our trucks axe not earning their full capacity ; but by fixing certain days for delivery of goods at these small stations- we will not only be able to place more trucks at the disposal of railway users, but we will be able by eliminating the stops, etc., to expedite the running of mixed trains. "Under present conditions, time has to be allowed for a stop and possible shunting at each station, with the result that we have such an undesirable state of affairs as exists on the Auckland to Helensville line, where there are twenty-one stops in thirty miles, I and the train takes nearly three hoars to cover the distance. By setting apart ; two or three days per week for the delivery of goods at the small stations, I anticipate that a considerable saving 'will be effected without causing inconvenience. lam getting a report I from each district manager on the subject, specifying the flag stations and the number of days necessary to provide an adequate service during the' week. As soon as this information has been secured, I will commence the new system. The Minister nave an indication of how the various economies already effected arc workiftg out. An increase of £143,000 is shown in the railway revenue for the four months from April 1 to July 24, and this has been secured for an increased expenditure of £73,000 or about 50 per cent, of the extra revenue. Such a result is in the highest degree satisfactory, as the period covered is almost the worst during the year. The North Island Main Trunk and Manawatu lines did not come into the previous year's figures.