AN IMPROVED MANAWATU RAILWAY SERVICE.

Evening Post, Volume LX, Issue 104, 30 October 1900, Page 4

AN IMPROVED MANAWATU RAILWAY SERVICE.

-— — -- «- - - - The directors of the Manawatu Railway Company have been repeatedly urged to provide greater facilities for the travelling publio by increasing the number of trains, and making the hours of departure and arrival at Wellington to suit the conveniences of business people. To these urgent requests, the answer has been that the uncertain tenure of the

Company precluded the adoption of any extension in services, and the directors were probably justified in their attitude. During the past session of Parliament, a more definite understanding was arrived at as to the intentiana of the Government, and it is obviou,s that the negotiations that are pending as the result of the legislation pasged during the session will settle' the matter qne way or the other — either the government will acquire the line, or the Company will be confirmed in its tenure under certain conditions. With the clearing up of the position the Company has taken steps to improve its service, and on December the alterations as detailed in our issue of yesterday will comb int<? operation. The new service of the Company is a vast improvement on what we have been accustomed to, an 4 could be made very much better by the co-operation of the Government. • There is now less reason than ever for the "friendly rivalry," which necessitates the Government railways carrying freight and passengers for about 50 miles without charge, nor for the diversion of the Hawkes Bay traffic to the Wairarapa line. The natural outlet for the Napier traffic is along the Manawatu line, which is shorter and of easier grade, and the Government should now make the Hawkes Bay time table fit in with the improved Manawatu service. There .would be the further advantage in adopting this course, that it would give relief to th.c Wajrarapa line, and enable some much -needed improvements to be effected in that service. The time is opportune also for allowing the Manawatu Company to run its trainsto Thorndon and Te Aro. This privilege can be so granted that is will not in any way a,lter the value of the Company's concessions, nor constitute a saleable asset. The concession oan be made a temporary One, to cease in the event of the Government not purchasing the line, or to be subject to review in the event of- certain contingencies. ' A further matter that has been frequently urged by us is the erection of a passenger platform near the shelter sheds, opposite the Post Office. The necessity for this is becoming more evident day by day, while the cost* of providing the facility need not be very great. The Government and the Company can work in unison now, and it is just as well that every effort should be made to give the public all .the facilities and conveniences possible.