CURTAILED RAILWAY SERVICE

Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 99, 26 April 1917, Page 8

CURTAILED RAILWAY SERVICE

In regard to the likelihood of restrictions of the railway service being removed, it is pointed out by the Hallway Department that the collieries on tl.o West Coast were closed down for about three weeks, besides which the quantity of coal received by the Department for several months past had been below tho normal. Owing to the general depletion of the coal stocks, combined with tho scarcity of chipping, and the necessities of the geaeral public, it is not anticipated that tha railways will be able to 1 obtain as much coal as they connume^oisome weeks to come. In the meantime, tho reserve of coal is being severely drawn upon. In these circumstances it will be necessary, in the general interests of the community, that the limitations imposed, in respect to passenger traffic shall continue, trains being run only to meet bare necessities, and it will not be , possible to remove the embargo that has been placed upon mineral and lower grade goods traffic until 'supplies of coal are coming along freely and the Department's stocks are being replenished. If tho collieries reopen at once, and are worked up to their full capacity, it may be possible to remove the embargo from all goods business by the end of next week. Meanwhile/, the present conditions must continue, except that late < trains will be run between the suburbs and the principal centres on Saturdays... That service . will commence on Saturday next, and particulars will be advertised.