“TAKING THE RISK"

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21990, 6 April 1946, Page 6

“TAKING THE RISK"

EASTER_TRAINS TIMETABLE ADDITIONS COAL SITUATION WORSE (P.A.) WELLINGTON, April 6. 'The shortage of coal has made the task of running the railways this last two or three years a real nightmare, said the Minister of Railways. Mr. R. Semple, in announcing the Easter timetable. . ‘The position is getting worse, instead of better," Mr. Semple continued. “At Christmas time, in order to give people an opportunity to travel, we took the risk of running an extended timetable and just got through by a very narrow margin. In order not to disappoint the general public we have decided to take the same risk this Easter. "It is as well for the public to know that the supplies of coal are so low and so uncertain that it becomes something of a gamble. The public will appreciate this fact when they realise that we have been down to two days’ supply in .the North Island. At present stocks in the North Island are 3760 tons, which represents about three to four days’ running on a weekly consumption of 8000 tons. Use of Unsuitable Coal

“Not only is there a shortage of coal, but a fair percentage of coal is being used in locomotives to-day that is not lit for the purpose. It is only through the patience and loyalty of the engine drivers and firemen that the service has .been maintained.

"We have had protests from locomotive men all over New Zealand concerning the difficulties they have in keeping up steam and maintaining timetables. Engine drivers and firemen have proved themselves most patient and loyal. The thanks of the general public are due to them for their sterling efforts. ‘ It is as well for the public to know these facts in view of the absurd talk that has been indulged in lately about millions of tons of coal. When such statements as these are made, the public may well wonder why it may not travel and, naturally, blames the railways. The department is most anxious to run a full service everywhere, not only for the benefit of the public, but to' make the railways a paying concern.

"Because of the uncertainty of the coal position it is no.t proposed to provide a greatly augumented service for the forthcoming Easter holiday traffic and Anzac Day, which this year falls on the Thursday following Easter Monday, but the demand for additional travel facilities will be closely watched and extra services added to those mentioned below, provided, of course, stocks of coal are available to the department to permit this being done. Main Trunk Trains “Insofar as the Main Trunk trains are concerned, four trains each way will be run between Auckland and Wellington on Wednesday, April 17, five on Thursday, three on Good Friday, two on Saturday, and two on Sunday, April 21. For returning holiday travellers four trains each way will be provided on Easter Monday, four on Tuesday, and three on Wednesday. "The following day being Anzac Day only the 3 p.m. trains will run from Auckland and Wellington, The normal timetable will operate from Friday, April 26. “On the Auckland-Opua, AucklandRotorua, Auckland-Taneatua, Welling-ton-New Plymouth, and Wellington-Napier-Gisborne routes expresses will run daily from Wednesday, April 17, to Wednesday, April 24, with relief trains on selected days. Extra express trains between Auckland and New Plymouth will be run, leaving Auckland on April 16 and 23. New Plymouth April 17 and 24. “In the South Island the 8.35 a.m. Christchurch-Invercargill and the 7 a.m. Invercargill-Ly.ttelton wharf express trains will run daily from Wednesday, April 17. to Saturday, April 27, and will be supplemented on certain days by the 9.10 a.m. and 12.25 p.m. Christchurch-Dunedin, the 8.45 a.m. and 10.50 a.m. Dunedin-Christchurch express trains Further Details Given The 11.2 p.m. Christchurch-Dunedin express will leave Christchurch on April 18, 19, 21. 22, 23 and 26, and the 11.20 p.m. Dunedin-Christchurch night express will leave Dunedin on April 18, 19. 22, 23 and 26. In addition, a 6.40 .p.m. relief night express from Invercargill to Dunedin will be run on April 18 and 22 and connect with the Dune-din-Christchurch night express. “Expresses between Christchurch and Picton, the 8.33 a.m Dur.edin-Invercar-gill, and the 1.25 p.m. InvercargillDunedin expresses, the 7.52 a.m. Dune-din-Cromwell and the 9.10 a.m. Crom-well-Dunedin trains will run daily from April 17 to April 27 (Anzac Day excepted). * Expresses between Christchurch and Greymouth will be run cn April 19 and 22 in addition to the usual days, while special night trains will also be run between the same points on selected days of the high peak traffic. "A reduced service o’ all classes of trains will operate on Good Friday and on Anzac Day. Practically no trains, except a limited service in the suburban areas, and an express each way between Wellington and Auckland, Christchurch and Hokitika, and Christ-chuch-Invercargill will be run. “It is not proposed to disturb the present arrangement regarding reservation of seats and sleeping berths, whereby applications for such accommodation may be made at allotting stations up to seven days ahead of the date of travel and nine days in advance at non-allotting stations." later. However, if teachers can obtain board for a short period on arrival in a new district, they have a better chance of finding good permanent board. The hope was expressed by the members of the institute that householders would come forward with offers of boarding for a week or two those teachers who were transferred to the district. Headmasters and school committee secretaries would be only too willing to arrange boarders for those householders who could offer temporary accommodation.