MIGHT BE CUT

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 51, Issue 3139, 10 July 1942, Page 4

MIGHT BE CUT

PLAINS BUS SERVICES QUESTION TO BE WATCHED DECISION OF COUNTY COUNCIL A decision that the clerk attend the next sitting of the No. 1 Licensing Authority to watch the matter of the Curtailment of bus services on the Hauraki Plains was made at Wednesday’s meeting of the Hauraki Plains County Council. Transport Ltd., of Paeroa, wrote on the subject as follows:— “We wish to point out that our services between the Hauraki Plains and Paeroa, Waihi and the Bay of Plenty- and between the Hauraki Plains and Auckland were reduced last December by a third whereas services in some other districts have suffered no reductions. The present reduction has caused considerable inconvenience to the travelling public.

“In the near future the No. 1 Licensing Authority will commence sittings with a view to reducing or eliminating motor services. . The authority has asked that local bodies and other interested parties consider the, needs of their districts and to make the representation regarding same. No Sunday Service “The authority proposes to reduce Sunday services by 75%. "If this applies to our service and to Messrs W. White and Sons’ service, it means that all Sunday/trips will be eliminated. This would be a drastic 'step as there is no other form of transport on that day. On week days it is proposed to make a further reduction of at least 25%. The chairman, Mr C. W. Parfitt, said that it was the duty of the council to watch that the area did not suffer in this matter more than any other district. Districts with railway services should experience cuts before an area like the Hauraki Plains with no other means of transport had its service curtailed. He pointed out that if the Sunday bus was suspended it would be a very definite hardship, especially in the case of soldiers returning to camp after week-end leave. Other councillors agreed that the council should watch that the Plains were not unfairly penalised. Ration of Petrol The clerk, Mr E. A. Mahoney was. appointed to represent the council at' the next sitting of the authority. It was pointed out that as farmers had only a very restricted ration of petrol any restriction in the bus services would result in definite hardship to settlers as they would have little opportunity of visiting their neighbouring centres.

Members considered that city services should be cut before runs in country districts were touched.