LAST NIGHT RUN

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 11, 12 July 1930, Page 10

LAST NIGHT RUN

NEW PLYMOUTH SERVICE.

(By Telegraph.) (Special to "The Evening Post.'1)

NEW PLYMOUTH, This Day

The Taranaki night train steamed out of New Plymouth to-night on its last journey, only a, few weeks after its institution, and only the usual number travelled. Opinions have varied little concerning the wisdom or folly of the curtailment of the service, which many business men regarded as very convenient and time-saving. The official figures are persuasive, and serve to cool enthusiasm, when it is recognised so generally that economy in railway administration is overdue, especially in the present condition of public finance. Yet there are numbers of travellers who have clung to hopes of retaining the service, through either increased fares or a longer trial with increased publicity. Parallels have been drawn between the methods of the railways and those of competing motor services which did not build up business simply by running cars lint by the support of constant advertising. Other critics arc saying that the rival motor services did not build up their business in a few short months, but persevered for years. Co-opera-tion might have been sought by the department, with Taranaki interests, when a settlement or a solution might have been found.

The mayor of New Plymouth, Mr. 11. V. S. Griffiths, stressed the fact that by using the night train business men could l.avo a day in Wellington, yet lose only one working day at home, whereas by using the day train three working days in New Plymouth were lost to have one in AVellington. Mr. Griffiths suggested men to whom tli.'it. difference meant mueli would probably be willing to pay increased fares for the saving of lime effected by the night, service.

"The public 'cannot, i-avi! at the Government removing ,■? train that is losing' £9000 a year."' said Mr. G. M. Ppencp, "although the train has been useful; and T regret tlifl department'?! decision." That view is general, and the inevitable seems to have been accepted. ____________