NIGHT EXPRESS URGED

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 68, 13 December 1933, Page 10

NIGHT EXPRESS URGED

Wellington to Taranaki LOSS OF BUSINESS In view of the unwillingness of the Railway Department to provide a night express train service between Wellington and New Plymouth, via Taumarunui, because of financial reasons, it was decided at last night’s meeting of the council of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce to write to the department urging that a service between New Plymouth and Wellington on two nights a week be reinstated as soon as possible. The department was approached by the Wellington chamber following representations by the Stratford chamber, which was of the opinion that Wellington would by that means receive business that was now going to Auckland. It was pointed out that there was no Taranaki connection with the Auck-land-Wellington express at Taumarunui, although the difference in time of departure of the Auckland-Welling-ton train and the arrival of the Tara-naki-Auekland train at Taumarunui was only 20 minutes. That time, it was maintained, could very easily be saved on the journey between Stratford and Taumarunui. Representations had been made for a connection, and on behalf of the business interests of the district, the Stratford chamber had no hesitation in stating that given similar faciliti.es for travel, business with Wellington would eventuate in preference to Auckland. In northern Taranaki strong objection had been raised to the connection. There was evidence that that objection was inspired. “I desire to inform you that this matter has been considered from all aspects, including earlier departure from New Plymouth, the long wait at Taumarunui, the present flow of traffic, and the weight of public opinion which is so much against the proposed timetable, ant! it is considered inadvisable to adopt the suggested services,” was the reply received by the secretary of the Wellington Chamber from the department. Between Wellington and Taranaki, It was considered the natural form of night train service was by the direct route, and when the department was in the financial position to do so consideration would be given to the reintroduction of the night express services.