MAIL TRAIN SERVICES

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 3 May 1923, Page 8

MAIL TRAIN SERVICES

« STRATFORD CHAM HER OF COMMERCE VIEW. Dissatisfaction with the railway time-table coming into operation on Monday next was expressed by the Stratford Chamber, of Commerce at its monthly meeting on Tuesday night, and it was decided to protest" at a proposed conference of South Taranaki chambers, to be held in the near future to discuss the matter. The attitude of the Stratford Chamber is that the greatest benefit to the province would accrue from a reduction of the time saved on the service below Taranaki, at the same time securing. an earlier, connection with the ferry steamers at Wellington. The saving of an hour north of Ar&moho only was considered of no real advantage. Every member, with the exception of Mr. P. Thomson, agreed that the alteration would be of no benefit, and that any reduction in the time taken should have enabled the mail train to reach Wellington earlier than at present. Mr. Thomson said the proposed timetable would be a great improvement, especially for the small stations, which would be served by the early feedingtrain. As at present, passengers from these stations could not catch the mail, or would have to drive long distances to do so. They would not have to get up as early as at present. In a general discussion, the opinion was expressed that if an hour could be cut off the time-table above Aramoho, another hour could he cut off between Aramoho and Wellington. Mr. Richards said . the Stratford •Chamber had been chided by the Daily News for being inconsistent in its attitude with regard to the movement for an improvement in the service. He said the Chamber had never deviated from its original request that any alteration in the service should ensure an earlier connection with the ferries at Wellington. Mr. Thomson then moved: "Thatthis Chamber desires to express its appreciation of the improvement effected in the mail train time-table, and in view of the fact that the saving of time is between New Plymouth and Aramoho only, that the Department will, in the near future, be able to arrange a saving of at least another hour between Aramoho and Wellington." The motion lapsed for want of a seconder. It was "decided that, in view of the probability of a conference of the South Taranaki Chambers on the question, to reserve any further action until then. Mr. C. Martin brought forward a suggestion that the mail train should junction with the Napier express at PaJmerston North; and that the two trains then, go on to Wellington as one train. This train would arrive at Wellington sufficiently early to r void the congestion of suburban traffic during, the evening. This would Drobaiily necessitate the mail leaving New Plymouth as at the present time, 7.20 a.m. It was pointed o-'it that the congestion at the Thomdon station was the Department's chief objection to the Taranaki express arriving earlier, and it was thought that fhis objection may or may not be a sufficient one. Mr. Martin's suggestion was generally approved, and it was decided to bring it forward at the conference of chambers.—News.