EXCURSIONS ON THE MAIN TRUNK.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 45, 21 August 1908, Page 6

EXCURSIONS ON THE MAIN TRUNK.

TO TH* KDtTOB. Sir — Now that tho Main Trunk lino is finished, may 1 suggest to the Government that as there are a largo number of poor people in New Zealand who would bo glad of the benefite to be derived from % visit to Rotorua Hot Springs, and who have been unable hitherto to afford a- trip lt> .that health resort, special cheap railway oxeurßJona be made during tho summer months to Rotorua, and Auckland. Take for instance poor people in Dunedin. What a boon it would be to them now so much railway travelling can be accomplished ; also to Wellington people. No doubt the U.S.S. Co. would bo willing to co-operate by cheap excursions from Lyttelton to Wellington, and co bring the whole of Now Zealand within easy reach of the •wonderful health-giving baths of Rotorua. In any case, there is no reason why Auckland and Wellington should not be brought closer by excursion fares during the summer months. A» a rule, excursion tickets can only be taken oui prior to New Year. Why limit the time? Could not the time bo extended to the middle of January or end of January? Look at the large number of people who cannot get away from business till somo weeks after New Year(tho bn6y time). I have noticed that every summer. If you want to avail yourself of excursion fares available for about a month you must buy your ticket prior to New Year's Day, and must use that ticket prior to that day, otherwise the ticket is of no use. No tickets are issued after New Year's Day, and people who wish to travel after New Year's Day and buy their tiokets say on 31»b December must' not use that ticket to start on ztheir journey, say, on 2nd January, or about that time, because the same would be of no use then. Perhaps some one will be good enough to explain this position. In any case I trust that now we have every facility for reaching Auckland and Rotorua in a short space of time that the Government or railway authorities will compile excursion timetables to suit all classes during the summer months, and also offer cheapest possible excursion fares. — I am, etc., SMALL PROFITS AND QUICK RETURNS. Nelson, 17th August, 1908.

A private telegram received in Wellington this afternoon states that Mr. A. D. Willis, of Wanganui, who has been very ill in Gisborne, is much better to-day. To-morrow, at 2 o'clock, Mr. W. P. Hoaly, Cuba-street, will sell by auction overcoats, rugs, c.p. ware, crockery, and enamel ware. The Terrace School in another column, announces that a sale of work is to be held 'early in September in aid of tho playground fund. Most of the city schools are hard put to it to find playground accommodation, but the Terrace School is especially badly off. Expupils of fifteen or more years ago well remember that they had the wfyole hillside to disport on, btlt tho enterprising builder has meanwhile covered the hill with houses, and the present-day pupils are much cramped for space. The committee trusts, with the aid of the parents and ex-pupils, to find the mean* to extend the playing area Messrs T. Kennedy Macdonald, Ltd,, invite inspection of the 100 oil and water colour paintings from the brush " of Mr. W. G. Baker, which are now on view at their rooms. Gaslight displays will be held to-night and to-morrow night, from 7 to 9 o'clock. Tho collection compriees beauty spots in New Zealand, and will be sold on Monday next, at 2 o'clock, without reserve. Catalogues can be obtained on application. Messrs. Sidey, Moech and Co. will sell by auction at 2 o'clock to-morrow, household furnilura and effects. Details are advertised in this issue.