EXCURSION TRAINS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 67, 18 March 1908, Page 8

EXCURSION TRAINS.

CTo the Editor.) , Sir, —May I be allowed through the medium of your valuable paper to draw attention to the way the public are treated by the Railway Department as regards excursion trains. This morning at 7.27, a train left for Ngaruawahia, comprised of a few carriages and a large number of trucks. Now, sir, the public pay for first or second-class tickets, but when we are asked to get into a dirty truck for second class, I think it is time, to draw the line. I sent my family away this morning, consisting of wife, two daughters, and a child in arms, and the only seat to be had was in a truck. These may be all right for wheat, coal, manure, etc., but to ask the public to travel seventy-five miles in one is a little too much. The Government can waste money in building carriages for the Governor, etc.. at a cost of about £2000, but they cannot supply decent accommodation for the general public. Just fancy, sir, a lot of ladies in summer i dresses going through the tunnel with I the smuts and smoke of two or three ! engines, in open trucks like a lot of | cattle, and then having to travel seventy lor eighty miles, no matter"whether it is | cold or hot, dusty or not. I say, sir. it lis a crying shame, and it only wants j the public to stand off once or twice to j bring the Railway Department to its | bearings. I think all who travelled toj day in trucks have <i case against the Department for a refund of quite one- I half of the fare they paid.—l am. etc.. March 17. JUSTICE.