OUR RAILWAYS.

Timaru Herald, Volume LX, Issue 2496, 10 September 1897, Page 3

OUR RAILWAYS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMARU HBRALD. Sir, — I read with interest the report of the interview of the Christchurch deputation with the Minister for Railways. The following facts appear to nave been brought out : — Ist, That there was a serious shortage of trucks and rolling stock generally, and the Minister admitted that he did not know how the traffic was to be overtaken next year. 2nd, That on account of the light character of the rails on the branch lines m North Canterbury, and there being no funds to relay the lines with heavier rails, it was impossible to increase the speed on the Springfield, Southbridges.and other lines beyond the 12 to 14 or 15 miles per hour, at which the trains are at present run. And finally that if the deputation really wished for the improved facilities, they must be prepared to support a new loan, of which £200,000 would be required to provide additional rolling stock and foi the relaying of the branch lines. Now it appears to me to be^quite evident that the boasted surpluses of the past few years, if existent, can only have been obtained at the cost of the efficient working of the railways. When some short time back it leaked out that the railway bridges were being allowed to get into an unsafe state, the Government declared that this was not the case, and that as a fact they were spending more money m maintenance, rolling stock, etc., etc , than had been ever spent before, and that the railways had never before been m such an efficient state. Now we know that during the Railwaj Commissioners' term of office the grain traffic was much heavier than it has beer for the past few years, and that sufneieni rolling stock was provided ; also that the main line was relaid with heavier rails Is it not therefore evident either that tin railways are being starved by thepreseni Government to enable them to show i surplus, or to u?e as a lever to force tin Canterbury members to support anothei big loan ? I am, etc., Old Hand.