SPEEDING UP

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 7 February 1925, Page 5

SPEEDING UP

THE RAILWAY SERVICE. MINISTER KEEN ON PROGRESS, TO SERVE THE PUBLIC. (BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATIONCHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 6. The intention of the Railway’ Department to speed up the express services between Christchurch and Invercargill, and between Christchurch" and' Hokitika, was indicated •by the Hon. J. G. Coates to-day in his reply *to a deputation. Mr Coates said that in connection with the South Island railway services the Railway Board was - going into the question of speeding up the Christehurch-Invercargill • and Christ - church-Hokitika expresses.: A good deal of preliminary work had been done, and the civil engineering branch had been consulted. This was essential, as the civil engineering branch controlled the speed of - trains. “I am most anxious,” said Mr Coates, “to give you service. That is the keynote of the whole department.” He recognised that finance came, into the matter, and consideration had to he given to the cost involved in the radical changes of policy proposed. He, realised that the change involved in separating goods from passenger traffic affected the whole service. Briefly, it would result in the quicker despatch of goods and quicker passenger trains. To carry out the policy required very close study and a very close overhaul. They, would have to start in a small way and extend gradually. The operation of the policy would have effect upon railway improvements to be carried out, but its immediate effect would be felt upon the size and construction of the yard accommodation; it would' particularly affect the terminal yards and also th© yards at many .stations along the lines. ‘‘l am most anxious,” added Mr Coates, “to do the proper thing in New Zealand, and more particularly to get a proper start with the work.”