SUBURBAN TRAINS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 142, 15 June 1917, Page 7

SUBURBAN TRAINS.

REDUCTION TOO DRASTIC. CITY COUNCIL'S PROTEST. The curtailment of the suburban train services was alluded to by the Mayor at the meeting of the City Council last evening. He stated that he had received a memorial, signed by the chairman of the Harbour Board, tiie president of the Chamber of Commerce, and a large number of citizens, asking him to call a public meeting. He thought, however, that a public meeting at this stage oll'ered no advantage, but that the Council should consider the position which had arisen. He moved, "That in view of the drastic reduction of the railway timetable in respect of the suburban service, the Railway Department be requested to reconsider the decision in the mutter ol the Auckland suburban passenger, services, the reasonable and minimum requirements of which render necessary an evening train on both lines to the suburbs. The Council would point out that many people whose business necessitates their presence in the city during the day have been induced hy the railway, iacilities provided in the" past to take up their residence in suburban districts, und that the cessation of the evening train imposes an undue hardship upon this section of the community, 11, therefore, submits a request for the partial restoration of the evening trains to relieve the present situation. It further desires to elraw the attention of the Department to the very great, and what appears to ho undue, inconvenieu.e occasioned citizens by the recent restriction under which they are not allowed

on to the railway platform during the departure of trains. The Council suggests that a reasonable facility is due to the city iv this connection, and requests the Department to reconsider its decision. Hy making a small charge for admission to the platform the position would be relieved ami an additional source of revenue provided the Depart ment.

.Mr. A. •'. Entrican said it was a marvel to Inni that the Railway Department shoulil suggest the cutting-out e.f every evening train after 7 o'clock. For years it had been the policy of the (loverniuent to encourage workers to go out to the suburbs, and now they we're cutting them oil from city life. The late night in the city .was Friday night, ami a great many people engage,l iv business were compelled to stay in town late-, yet the. Department insisted that only on Saturday night would a late train be run. He expressed the opinion that a great many retired railway servants would he only too pleased to come forward and otter their services. During the recent race meeting the Department had lost thousands of pounds, which had gone into the pockets of the Tramway Company and others, and what bail been the- result ? Racing was not restricted: it went on exactly as usual. To him tbe modus operandi of the Department wns absolutely incomprehensible.

Mr. Moore-Jones, in supporting the motion, said they all recognised that the. Department had been hard hit, but it seemed to him it was really endeavouring to force the hands of the Efficiency Board. The Department was simply killing the goose that laid the golden egg.

The motion was supported by a larga majority of the Council ami carried.