LATE TRAIN.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17697, 25 January 1918, Page 2

LATE TRAIN.

TO THE EDITOR, Sir, —It is difficult to understand why tho Government persist in refusing ii necessary convenience to the people of Lyttelton and Christchurch in the matter of the Jate train. There cannot be the least difficulty in doing this. As one who had something to do with tho railway in the early days (I had charge of the horse and cart that took the first load of soil to make up the old broad gauge platform), and later on assisted with the night train to Rangiora, I may say that train left Christchurch at 11 p.m., and on its return to Christchurch, tho night porter on duty, who cleaned the offices out, was tho only one on duty to receive it. Now tho only thing required to run the Lyttelton to Christchurch late train would bo that the carriages required could be sent to Lyttelton by either goods or passenger train, and left there until required- One of the night porters could go by the last passenger as well as tho driver and fireman, to bring the train to Christchurch, and one of the shunters could bo on duty to receive it. at Christchurch. Altogether we have four men not required more than two hours to do what deputations have been asking for for months past. Neither the Minister of Railways nor tho General Manager can say that these suggestions are not workable. Jt may be political questions have something to do with this unsatisfactory state of affairs, but the question may be asked, what are our members of Parliament doing on this question, and that of the cost of living? Practically nothing, and it is high time we had a chango of the Christchurch members of Parliament for others who would look after the interests of their constituents and the well-being of tho city.—l am, etc., EX-RAILWAY.