REQUEST NOT ACCEDED TO.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 16 July 1937, Page 8

REQUEST NOT ACCEDED TO.

EXPRESS NOT TO STOP AT OTAKI. In reply to a communication from the Otaki Borough Council that the Wel-lington-Auckland express stop at Otaki Mr. G. H. Maekley, General Manager of Railways, in a letter to Mr. Lowry, M.P., and since handed on to the council, stated in support of the request by Mr. Lowry for the 3 p.m. WellingtonAuckland express to stop at Otaki he desired to state that under the new time-table the express train from New Plymouth was scheduled to cross the Wellington-Auekland express at Otaki, but the schedules were so arranged to permit of the crossing being made without the latter train being required to stop. The question of the 3 p.m. Welling-ton-Auckland express train stopping at Otaki had been reviewed on previous occasions and circumstances governing the position at present had not materially altered from those previously obtaining. This express was run on a fast schedule and any addition to the number of stopping places en route would evolve extending the time for the overall journey which would not be desirable to long-distance travellers. If provision was made for the express train [to stop at Otaki the question of stopiping at other places of similar importance would be raised, and it would not jbe practicable to accede to such requests. The opening of the Tawa Elat deviation had permitted of an improved service, and having regard to all circumstances it was regretted that the department was unable to meet with the wishes of the Borough Council. While regret was expressed that the express could not be scheduled to stop |it was decided to make application that passengers be taken up or set down when the train had occasion to stop.