The Manawatu Times. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10. 1878.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 52, 10 April 1878, Page 2

The Manawatu Times. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10. 1878.

In our last issue a letter. appeared from " A Settler,'' urging the claims of the residents at the Terrace End to have a passenger platform erected at that portion of the town, and any one who read the correspondence must fairly admit that a strong case was made out. Since its publication, however, another and a more fitting step has been taken, and through one of its representatives, the matter has been brought before the Borough Council. The correspondence columns of a journal are excellent media in which to ventilate a subject — ifcojset the ball a-rolling, as it were — but; some other motor is required with which to follow the matter up, else it is labor in vain. .Mr Linton, at the last sitting of the Corporation, on behalf of -those whom, he represented, asked that the Council .as a body should not only affirm the desirability of the erection of a passenger platform at the north end, but that a strong recommendation' should be forwarded to the .Railway Department to have the matter undertaken at once. As might be expected, the necessity, pointed out was immediately recognised by the i Council, and a resolution to that effect unanimously carried. Were any. difficulties likely to lie in the way of the undertaking, or did a probability exist that the Department would' view the 'suggestion with disfavor, a recommendation from such a quarter would prove a valuable aid ; but on 'the contrary, we are in a position to state that the railway authorities are quite prepared to admit that the platform is not only now, but has been for some time, a recognised want. However, in all matters calling for interference from the Government there are certain, circumlocutory routine arrangements which must be carried out, and- certain formula to be gone through, before, any official cognisance can be taken, of a matter ; and although, as we said before, the necessity for the erection of a platform might be apparent enough, something like formal ap-' plication therefor, was necessary. Such being the case, then, faring in mind the favourable vie^v ••intertamed towards the matter, 'both by the District Engineer and the j Bailway Manager, we have no doubt whatever that tho application, or rather recommendation of the application by the Council, will finally dispose of the matter. We believe there is some misunderstanding between the Railway Manager and the ratepayers as to wtiat they latter wish to be done, Mr Moinet is under the impression that beside the timber platform erected close to the crossing of the road, a second one is asked for higher up, and neither himself nor Mr Stewart are prepared jto recommend such a step.

We are given to understand by Councillor Linton that the burgesses of whom he is the mouthpiece, make no such dejmands. They merely wish the present platform to be removed to the junction of Fitztroy and Main Streets (the present extremity of the town), arid used a regular stopping station for passeiigers. It is unnecessary for us to reiterate the arguments in favor of the step, inasmuch as we are aware that the railway authorities are perfectly in ; accord with the suggestion, and consequently nothing remains to be done beyond the intended action, of the Council. We believe the removal would be covered by an outlay of about £10, and from the number of persons who would patronise the line under the new arrangements, we feel convinced that in less than three months the money would be returned. It is not our province to dictate to the department with regard to its internal working, but we might suggest the; issue of. yearly, season, and monthly tickets to and from the Terrace End;; which, beside proving a source of revenue, would be a great boon to its residents.