LYTTELTON NEWS

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23535, 13 January 1942, Page 9

LYTTELTON NEWS

PERSONAL Mrs B. J. Smith, Cornwall road, has been advised that her husband, Private B. J. Smith, who was reported missing, is now safe. Obituary Mr Edward James Lester, a Lyttelton resident, whose death occurred on Sunday at the age of 66 years, was at one time a prominent Rugby football player and was keenly interested in all athletic sports. He was for some years a member of the Lyttelton Naval Volunteer Brigade, and was also a member of the Loyal City of Norwich Oddfellows’ Lodge. Mr Lester was in the employ of the Westport Coal Company as hulk-keeper for 40 years. He is survived by his wife, three daughters, and eight sons, two of whom are serving overseas. Lyttelton Train Service To hear further particulars of complaints by councillors of the unsatisfactory state of the Lyttelton train service, Mr E. H. McLean, district traffic manager, attended the meeting of the council last night. The Mayor (Mr F. E. Sutton) said that some of the complaints were longstanding. He felt that Lyttelton was entitled to some consideration in its train service. < Cr. Morris complained of the lack of heating of the trains in the winter. It was said that it was only a 17 minutes’ trip, but hundreds of young persons travelled on the early morning trains in the depth of winter. The trains at night were absolutely freezing. The seats in the second-class carriages were of bad shape, uncomfortable, and too close together. Them there was the practice of smoking in non-smoking carriages. It was general, by both men and women. "I also wish to suggest that special carriages be put on for workers," said Cr. Morris '“I want to make it clear I have never at any time had cause for complaint of the conduct of any worker on the trains. But their clothes often dirty the scats which women and others in good clothes may have to occupy.” He also complained of the unnecessary banging of doors by guards. A complaint that soldiers on leave from Burnham had to travel by the 8.55 p.m. train on Sundays, because the department would not guarantee that the 10 p.m. train would connect with the 10.20 p.m. troop train from Christchurch. was made by Mr W. T. Lindsay. This meant that the soldiers lost more than an hour of their time in Lyttelton. He also complained of the late running of trains. Cr, A. K. Dyne said the departure of the 10 p.m. trains on Sundays was frequently delayed to enable waterside workers working on overseas ships to travel to their homes. Cr. T. B. Hempslalk suggested that first-class carriages should be abolished oil the Lyttelton line. In reply, Mr McLean said that as regards the seating accommodation, the department claimed that the same standard of comfort was not warranted on suburban lines as on long journeys. That was the usual railway practice in all countries. There had been an improvement in the carriages lately, and they were taken off once a day and sent to the cleaning yard. Steam heating of the trains was difficult: it took three-quarters of an hour to heat a train. However, he would investigate the possibilities of heating the carriages. The proposal that special carriages should be provided for workers was not practicable. Who was to say who was a worker and who was not? He would look into the matter of an improved connexion with the Burnham troop train, also the complaint of the late running of trains. ■ Borough Council The Lyttelton Borough Council met last evening, when there were present the Mayor (Mr F. E. Sutton), Crs. W. T Lindsay. A, K Dyne, T. B. Hempstalk G. S. Morris. G. Briggs, R. E. Cairns. W. T. Foster. T. L. Young. To provide an auxiliary water supply for emergency purposes, the council

intends to flood the foundation pits of the former electrical stand-by plant The council decided to repair Hornbrook's track, to provide a pedestrian track for emergency purposes. In future, where residents fail to group their rubbish tins for collection the collectors will refuse to empty them. A resolution to this effect was carried at the meeting of the council last night. . with sea water. Permission to do this was received in a letter from the District Electrical Engineer. Personal Reference to the deaths in the Middle East of two former Lyttellon residents, Second-Lieutenant W. Foubister and Private C. St. John, was made at the meeting of the Borough Council last night by the Mayor (Mr F. E Sutton). A resolution of sympathy with the relatives of the soldiers was carried.