NIGHT TRAIN SERVICE

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 143, 14 December 1933, Page 22

NIGHT TRAIN SERVICE

WELLINGTON-TARANAKI

OFFICIAL STATEMENT

• The" Wellington Chamber of Commerce . recently wrote to the Railway Department making inquiries regarding the provision of a night express train service between Wellington and Now Plymouth, via Taumarunui. / At a meeting of the Council of the Chnmbefl on Tuesday a reply was received from Mr.G. H. Mackley, general manager of the Railway Department, in which he said that the matter had boon considered from all aspects, including earlier departure from New Plymouth, the long wait at Taumarunui, the present flow of traffic, and the weight of public opinion, which was so much, against the proposed time-table, and it was considered inadvisable to adopt the suggested service.. , , "In view of the advantages of night passenger train services," he said, "the question of the most suitable manner, of meeting the position between Wellington and Taranaki has also been reviewed, and it is considered the natural form of night train service:between these points, is by the direct route, and when the Department is in the financial position to do so, consideration will be given to the re-introduction of the night express services which were instituted on this route in March, 1930, but had to be discontinued owing to limitations of finance." The general manager appended a schedule of the present, time-table and the train arrangements necessary to provide the service asked for. Other train services would also, he said, require to be adjusted to enable the alterations to be made to the express train schedules. The return first-class fares from Wellington to New Plymouth by the alternative routes were:—Direct route, £3.Os'4d; via Tanmarunui, £& 10s 6d. A TAEANAKI VIEW. The Stratford' Chamber of Commerce wrote:—"You are doubtless aware that in connection with the Taranaki-Auck-land express, which leaves New Plymouth Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings, return train leaving Auclo-land.-Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings, there is no .connection with the : Auckland-Wellington express at Taumarunui, although tho" difference in time of departure of the Auckland-Wel-lington train and arrival of the Tara-naki-Auekland.train >at fraumarunui is only 20 minutes.'-This 20 niinutes could very easily be saved on "the journey between Stratford and Taumarunui. The Stratford Chamber of Commerce, on behalf of the business interests of.this district, Wave made representations' for a connection. On behalf of' the business interests of Stratford and.district, I have no hesitation/in stating that, given similar facilities for travel, business would eventuate in preference to Auckland. lii northern Taranaki strong objection has been raised to the connection; there is evidence that this objection is inspired. This matter is really Wellington's business;to wake up to the possibilities of. loss of its trade to Auckland^ and-in consequence my Chamber' respectfully solicits your support and-.co-.opGration." : ."■•'■ ' \ • The council resolved to 'thank the General, iManager of Railways for his letter;?'and. the feeling was expressed, by members th£t as soon as circumstances permitted;'the night service-be-tween Wellington and Taranaki should be restored. , . . . •'