AKAROA CENTENNIAL

Grey River Argus, 20 March 1940, Page 3

AKAROA CENTENNIAL

RAILWAY FARES. WELLINGTON, March 18. Special transport arrangement^are being made by the Government to permit people to attend the centennial celebrations at Akaroa. These celebrations extend from Saturday, March 30, to Thursday, April 4, inclusive, and include a historical procession, Mlaori celebrations, church commemorations, an assembly of old residents, and a centennial ball. The Minister for Railways and for Supply (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan) announced to-day that a 20 per cent, reduction in fares would be granted to Akaroa centennial visitors travelling to Christchurch or Little River from any station north of Timaru. A similar 20 per cent, reduction would also be granted on the Railways Department Blenheim-Hundalee and Hawar-den-Waiau-Hanmer road services.

Special bus excursions with cheap fares would be run from Christchurch to Akaroa during the period of the celebrations. The Christchurch - Akaroa day return fare would be 10s on Sunday, March 31, and 12s 6d on other days of the celebrations. fl he return fare available for the whole period of the celebrations would be 17s 6d from Christchurch to Akaroa and 10s from Little River to Akaroa. The Minister said that he bel’evcd that these reductions would encourage people to use the public transport services rather than their private cars. The Government regarded conservation of petrol' as a matter of essential importance ,during war time. The economical transport that was being provided would not only beip the celebrations, but would save petrol and would relieve congestion on roads not built to carry heavy traffic. “There are some people to whom these extra bus and rail facilities aie not .available,” said Mr Sullivan. “Many of the residents of Banks Peninsula, for instance, have to provide their own transport facilities. Where road or rail services are not-accessible to people living on Banks Peninsula and in adjacent areas who intend to attend the celebrations, sufficient petrol will be allowed to cover the re turn journey. Arrangements have been made with the local fuel oil controllers to grant this allowance when thev are- satisfied that the application is genuine and alternative transport is unsuitable.”