BUS TO AUCKLAND

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 51, Issue 3139, 13 July 1942, Page 5

BUS TO AUCKLAND

POSSIBLE RESTRICTIONS NO SUNDAY SERVICE MATTER TO BE WATCHED The question of possible restriction in the Paeroa-Hauraki Plains-Auckland bus service in the near future was considered at the monthly meeting of the Paeroa Borough Council when Transport Ltd., of Paeroa, wrote to the council regarding the question. Transport Ltd., wrote as follows: “We wish to point out that the services ~to and from Paeroa m December last were reduced to a third whereas services in some other districts have suffered no reductions. These reductions have caused inconvenience to the travelling public. “In the near future the No. 1 Licensing Authority will commence sittings with a view to reducing dr eliminating motor services. The authority has asked local bodies and other interested parties to consider the the needs of their districts and to make representation. ' “The authority proposes to reduce Sunday services by 75%. As there is only one trip at present, that would be eliminated, which would be particularly drastic as there is no other form of transport available on that day. On week days it is proposed to make a further reduction of at least 25%.”

Would Affect Soldiers

The Mayor, Mr Edwin Edwards, said he had discussed the matter with Mr Thomas, of Transport Ltd. In December last some of the ser-. vices had been cut and Paeroa was included wliile other services were not touched. Dealing with the use being made of the service Mr Edwards 1 said he had noticed that large numbers of people were travelling by it, especially soldiers on Sundays returning to camp after week-end leave. In conclusion he pointed out that Paeroa could not'object if all were tc be cut equally but if some were to be cut and others not touched then Paeroa should object. Mr D. G. McMillan pointed out that the service was the only means of transport on the Hauraki Plains. He contended that city services, where railway services were available should be cut first-. Mr C. C. Webb said it was a question of the conservation of rubber and all services would have to suffer. He agreed that a service was needed on the Hauraki Plains but questioned the use that was made of it, contending that few Plains people took adventage of the service. Luxury travel Would have to be reduced and he considered, a lot of the people using the bus used it merely for pleasure. i

•.The Mayor said that Transport ■Ltd., were not l objecting to being cut if -others were cut equally. He added that he' considered that the council should make representations so that some service was maintained across, the Hauraki Plains to Auckland.

It was decided to communicate to <e No. 1 Licensing Authority a request that when the licences are under review that the maintenance of the Paeroa-Auckland service.be given - favourable consideration.