RAILWAY TIME-TABLE

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXIII, Issue 9894, 26 January 1911, Page 5

RAILWAY TIME-TABLE

CONFERENCE OF LOCAL BODIES.

LARGE AND REPRESENTATIVE

GATHERING

A meeting of delegates from local bodies and Chambers of Commerce from Martiuborough to Woodville was held in Murray's Hall to-day, to discuss the railway time-table. There

weie present:—Messrs F. W. Carey, W. J. Welch (Masterton County Couucil), W A. Kitchen (Carterton Chamber of Commerce), Tait (Featherston Town Board). Dndson (Carterton), Wilkinson (Featherston County Uouucil), F. W. Kummer (Maurioeville), T. Moss (Eketahuua County County Couucil), W. O. Buchanan M.P., A. H. Herbert and J. A. Haswell (Eketahuua), Loasby (Greytown), A. W. Hogg M.P., A. Henderson, A. P. Webster, and Hayes (Greytown), J. M. Coradiue (Mayor of Masterton), and G. O. Summerell. Mr 0. E. Dauiell sent an apology for his absence.

Mr F. W. Carey, president of the Masterton Chamber of Commerce, was voted to tho chair, and briefly explained the object of the conference. Tne Minister for Railways, he stated, had pledged himself to recousider the present Wairarapa railway timetable. The service at present was a scandalous one. Before starting, it would be necessary to decide as to the voting power of the delegates present. Mr Buchauan stated that he had communicated with ail the representatives of the Lower Valley aud all were present with the exception of the chairraau of the Featherston County Couucil, who had requested him to apologise for his absence.

Mr Summerell moved that each body have oue vote, the chairman to have the casting vote.

Mr Loasby held that they should not bother about the voting power, but should work together with a view of getriug something done from a broad stauduoiut.

The resolution was lost aud Mr Ooradiue moved that every delegate have a vote. His motion was carried.

Mr Buchanan stated that when the Minister made out his previous timetable,it had been published before the people interested "had been consulted. Ha had waited upon him subsequently, and had been promised that nothing would'be dove, till a "deputation had waited on him. He (the speaker) had urged that the time at the disposal of people who went from here to Wellington was too short, but had been informed that to make an alteration in that ragard would hardly be possible. There was also a difficulty in regard to getting to Palmerston North to transact business, aud he suggested that the early traiu from Cross Creek leave there at 5.20. It could then be timed to arriva at Masterton at 7 o'clock. Jeaviug again at 7.15 for Woodville, where it would arrive at 10 15, leaving again at 10 30 and arriviug in Palmerston North at 11.30, two minutes before the arrival of the Wellington train. The stock sales at Palmsrston did not commence till 1 o'clock, aud that would give people ample time to atteud and get back to the Wairarapa. At present the traiu did not arrive iv Palmerston till 12.48. which was too late. He did not tniuk thare should be any difficulty in niaking this alteration, as the goods trains were so timed that a few minutes oue way or the other did uot matter, in regard to the afternoon train from Welliugton, which at present left at 3.36. he contended it could leave at 4.7 and cross down train at Kaitoke without difficulty. At present there was a tram leaving Woodville at 8 15 for Mastertou. Hs held that this train could leave at 6.50, cross the North train at Eketahuua at 8.40 a.m., and cross the other traiu at Carterton. The 445 a.m. train from Wellington shonid be reinstated.

Mr Carey stated that the Chamber had tabulated seven resolutions for proposal at this meetiug, which were practically similar to air Bnchauau's suggestions. He asked that the proposals be taken seriatim,aud dealt with accordingly.

Mr Kummer moved that the first resolution be adopted as follows: — That the train leaving Wellington at 7 45 a m. and the train leaving Palmerston for the Wairarapa at 11.48 a.m., Woodville at 1.20 p.m., aud arriving at Wellington 7.40 p.m., are satisfactory, with the exneptiou that there is no connection with tho Auckland express now arriviug in Palmerstou 42 minutes after the departure of the Wairarapa train.

Tlir resolution was seconded by Mr Hogg aud carried.

Mi Herbert stated that? the requirements of the Eketahuua people were materially different to thos9 of the people of Ma3tertou, and might clash to some exteut with the proposed time-table. !LKFT SITTING.',