RAILWAYS SET NEW GOODS RECORD IN LAST TWO MONTHS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18788, 18 June 1929, Page 5

RAILWAYS SET NEW GOODS RECORD IN LAST TWO MONTHS.

MINISTER IMPRESSED WITH SCENERY OF THE KAIKOURA ROUTE.

The Hon W. B. Taverner, Minister of Railways, accompanied by Mr R. S. Kent (Divisional Superintendent of Railways for the South Island), Mr Stanley (private secretary), Mr May (District Public Works Engineer, Nelson), and Mr E. F. Healy, M.P. for Wairau, arrived at Kaikoura on Saturday, having left Blenheim that morning and inspected the route of the proposed railway on their way down. At Kaikoura the party were met by Mr James Boyd, county chairman, several councillors, Mr F. Langbein (District Engineer, Christchurch), Mr A. Stewart (in charge of survey at the Conway) and Mr A. B. Barker (Public Works foreman). The Minister was entertained at a dinner by the council

Replying to the toast of the “ Minister of Railways/’ Mr Taverner thanked Mr Boyd and the people of the district, for the cordial welcome accorded him. Referring to the proposed main trunk line the Minister said that in addition to the line being of commercial advantage it possessed scenic beauty which was the best in New Zealand. He knew of no other route possessed of such scenic advantages. Pie admitted that railway management was more difficult in these days, and he instanced the loss of £11,000,000 on the Australian system. However he was pleased to be able to say that the goods traffic was being restored to the railways in the Dominion. For the two months ending April 30, more goods had been carried than in any two previous months in the history of the railways. That was a healthy sign and they were all pleased to see this. He was convinced that the passenger traffic would be secured for modern long distance traffic, such as would pass the door of Kaikoura. The railway would be done in a satisfactory way—the travelling public would be able to get the best of the trip in daylight. He was greatly impressed with the gathering and the wonderful civic spirit which existed. He congratulated Mr Boyd on his twenty-five yeans’ service with local bodies. This great question of railway construction should be regarded as a national one—that was the aspect he desired to impress on them. That was what they aimed at. He felt sure it must be * satisfactory to the people of Marlborough that the South Island main trunk line was within reasonable distance of being completed. Other toasts honoured were: “ Parliament," proposed by Dr R. L. Withers and replied to by Mr E. F. Ilealy, M.P.: and "The Chairman,” proposed by the Minister. There was only one private deputation. On Sunday morning the Minister visited the old wharf, and noticed what was being done on behalf of the fishermen. He also visited the hospital. At 10.30 the party left for Parnassus, where they took train for Christchurch, en route for Dunedin.