The Advocate. (ESTABLISHED 1888.] SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1907. NOTES.

Bush Advocate, Volume XIX, Issue 632, 2 February 1907, Page 4

The Advocate. (ESTABLISHED 1888.] SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1907. NOTES.

! The system of cheap excursion fares to | the Exhibition is to come into force at once, and a special train is to be' run I from Woodville next week. Under the proposals, it seems that the people are to be collected from the several stations along the line, and then dumped into two boats alongside the wharf and sent away on their journey. Having got the people to Christchurch, they are to be allowed to drift back at their leisure, so long as the return trip is made within the period of availability of the ticket, i.e., nine days. We fail to see why this system of running a special excursion train is necessary. Why can the people not be allowed to travel by the ordinary trains at the excursion fares ? As a rule, the carriages are not overcrowded, and the few extra people that would be carried daily as the result of the concessions in fares could easily be provided for There would also be the additional advantage that people could make their way to Christchurch from Wellington as they considered best. If they could not catch a boat on one day, they would be in time for the next. The scheme of a large concession in railway fares is a wise one, but, as usual, the departmental authorities evidently fear that their ordinary traffic may be affected by it, and so extraordinary care is taken to guard against any such possibility. Tho conditions under which these cheap fares are granted will largely minimise their value to the public. It might also be asked, why should only niuo days be allowed for the trip P Passengers leavo Woodville on the 6th, and arrive at Christchurch on the 7th. Thoy must leave again on tho return ou the 14th.' Why oannot these cheap tickets be made available for four weeks, at tho least P Many may not desire to remain at Christciiurch for that poriod, but a few may, and it appears to us that there is little justification for the restriction compelling the holder of an excursion ticket to return in a week.