THOSE RAILWAY CARRIAGES !

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3632, 19 September 1912, Page 5

THOSE RAILWAY CARRIAGES !

CISBORNE-OTGKO ROLLJNC STOCKMINISTER CONSIDERS THE CARS IN GOOD ORDER. By Telegraph—Special Correspondent. WELLINGTON Sept. IS. '[’lie Minister for Railways was asked by Sir das. Carroll to-day whether he would make provision in this year’s programme for the equipping of the Gisborne railway section with sufficient, new carriages for two complete trains for the regular service ? A start was made, be said, in this direction last year, when two new carriages were- provided, but the balance of the passenger cars in use are discarded ones from other railway lines, and quite unsuitable, for the growing traffic on this profitable section. Mr. Harries replied: “The carriage accommodation at Gisborne provides reasonably for all the business, and is equal to the full equipment for two trains. The cars are all in good order and well suited for the business, and as a matter of fact were in use on the main line before being sent to Gisborne- As the business increases additional carriages will be placed on the line. It must, however, be recognised that as branch lines are builtor extended carriages must be transferred from one line to another lor the equipment of trains. The ears in use on the Gisborne line are quite suited for the traffic in all respects. Mr. MacDonald said that he had done a good deal of travelling on the Gisborne section, and he dissented entirely with the Minister s statement that'the- line was well equipped, the Otoko-Gisborne section was the worst equipped line in New Zealand. Inero were only two decent carriages on each train, and on a week-day passentrcrsi had to put U" umbrellas in t-lie carnages to keep themselves dry. The Gisborne district had been promised for the past three or four years that new carriages would be proA start had been made upon the construction of rolling stock two years previously, but only two carriages were built. The other carriages were of the most antediluvian and out-of-date type to be- found Ln this country. He trusted that during the recess the Minister for Railways would visit the district and see for himself. If the Minister did he would find it impossible to stand up straight in some of tlmse carriages.