RACE TRAINS

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 9, 12 January 1932, Page 6

RACE TRAINS

REPLY TO COMPLAINTS

Several correspondents in leccnt issues of /'The Post" cuticisod the tiain airangenients made- in connection, with Tiontham laces As much of the mtoiniation prosented by them is liable to mislead the public, tho following statement is made upoif'tho subject b> tho Eailway Department:—

Special train .arrangements are always made in connection with Trentham races, and the time-tables are compiled in consultation with the Kacmg Club to give the most adequate service possible to the public. As many as se-ven extra tiahi services have to be provided in connection with, some iaee days, with, of/course, considerable additional expense that may lesult in loss> should the weather bo, iinfa\ouiable. The outward running of trains fioni ■Wellington cveiy few minutes gives ample opportunity foi patrons to reach tho laces at the desired time, and no genuine complaint can lie against the Dcpaitment on this scoie. The adequate arrangements for handling Tientham race traffic have ±requontly been made tho, subject of most favourable comment.

_ There- are two classes of accornnioda tion provided, viz./ by cars when firstclass tickets are purchased, and by wagons for second-class fares. Thoie are no "cattle trucks" used for'conveying passengers, all tho second class1 passengers being conveyed in merchandise "bogie" wagons, having comfortable riding 'qualities, specially converted, and fitted with seats to -meet requirements', The' carriages put on these trains a*e invaiiably the host available and contain a 'large proportion of modprn type vehicles. The additional expense in connection with Trentham train running makes, inconsequent any comparison with, say, the special zone fares in the Wairarapa, or Sunday fares (when amplo standby plant is available). Taking tho low race fares in conjunction, with the frequent "and dependable train services provided—and only made possible by the additional expense entailed in bringing into, the district the extra engines: and cars necessary—it will bo seen that the Department has done much to cater for and popularise transport between Wellington and the Trentham. racecourse^,;.-: