SHOW STOCK TRAINS.

Waipa Post, Volume III, Issue 147, 20 September 1912, Page 4

SHOW STOCK TRAINS.

RECIPROCAL ENTRIES

The idea that was conceived by Mr W. T. Penny, secretary of the Manawatu and West Coast A. and P. Association, at the last spring show with regard to the question of special stock • trains and reciprocal entries between the Auckland, Waikato, and Palmerston North districts is stated to be on a fa'r way to bearing good fruit. Mr Penny is at present in Auckland in furtherance of the proposal, which he has kept constantly in view ■during the past twelve months. In conversation with a Star representative, he stated that providing the breeders would come forward, as was anticipated, the proposal would be mutually beneficial to Auckland and Palmerston North. He would like to make it clear, he said, that the people of Palmerston North were not actuated altogether by selfish motives in their desire for the inauguration of the proposal. They recognised, of course, that they would benefit materially, but in return for support received they were equally ready to support Auckland and the Waikato when their fixtures took place. As the result of a deputation which had waited on the former Minister for Rail ways, 1 Mr Myers, a promise had been received that a special show stock train would be put on for the next spring show at Palmerston North, and in support of that he (Mr Penny) had just received a letter from the General Traffic Manager, setting forth the approximate times of the departure of the train from the' various railway stations between Auckland and Palmerston, which were as follow Auckland, depart 6 a.m.; Pukekohe, 8 a.m.; Frankton, 12 noon ;Te Awamutu, 12.40 p.m.; Te Kuiti, 2.25 p.m.; Taumarunui, 6.15 p.m.; Ohakune 12.20 p.m ; Palmerston North arrive 6.30 a.m.. The letter further went on to say that a car would be attached for the attendants, and that as the train was an experimental one, a minimum number of wagons, say, equal to 24 wheeled vehicles, from Te Kuiti and stations north thereof, would be sufficient for this occasion.

The chief cause of complaint in the past.has been with regard to the time taken by the stock trains in covering the distance between the Auckland district and Palmerston North, and the manner in which valuable stock were knocked about as the result of repeated shunting. This will now be obviated to such an extent that the risk of damage on the journey—which will only occupy about twenty-four hours —will be practically nil, and breeders can be assured that

their stock will arrive at the other end in good condition. Mr Penny intends to spend some three, weeks in the Auckland district, during which time he will visit the various breeders who are exhibitors at the shov.s, with a view to enlisting their support in this very important movement, which has for its object the bringing into closetrelationship the associations and exhibitors of the northern and southern districts of the North Island.