RAILWAY RESTRICTIONS

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 January 1944, Page 4

RAILWAY RESTRICTIONS

[TO THE EDITOR.) Sir, —Here is a case of what I regard as sheer stupidity by those vested with a little power in connection with our railways. I had reserved space prior to the 15th inst., on the Railway to Trentham and shipping from Lyttelton to Wellington, for a horse to race in one of the most important events on the second day at the Wellington Jockey Club meeting. However, on Monday last, when 1 went to consign, my horse, I was refused transport on the South Island railways, in spite of the fact that the ordinary train left as usual on Monday evening. I contacted the Minister of Railways in Christchurch through a friend, but was still refused permission to travel. I note that last Saturday 19 special trains left Wellington for Trentham races which proves the alleged coal shortage is a bit of a joke, yet I am refused permission to travel to Lyttelton on the ordinary train leaving Greymouth each evening. No doubt 19 special trains will leave Wellington for Trentham again on Saturday, but the preparation of a horse by an ordinary worker on the West Coast amounts to nothing in the eyes of the Minister of Railways. I will lay a lot of odds that no horses to Forbury Park meeting next week will be held up from this 200 odd miles journey. I just want to ask, is this fair treatment to the West Coast which produces a large percentage of the coal that, allows North Island trains to run? Yours, etc., F. ESCOTT.