ST. PATRICK'S DAY.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLV, Issue 65, 17 March 1911, Page 5

ST. PATRICK'S DAY.

TRAIN ARRANGEMENTS.

On Monday morning last Mr J. Duncan, M.P., s-t the request of the Flaxbourne Settlers' Association, telegraphed to the Hon. J. A. Millar, Minister for Railways, asking that a special train be run from Ward to Blenheim on St. Patrick's Day for the benefit of the settlers. In reply to this telegram he received the followUlg' J. Dunos'n, Esq., M.P., 1 Picton. "Your telegram to hand re running of train from and to Ward on St. Patrick's Day. The matter is at present being considered. I may, mention, however, that on two previous occasions the running of the train resulted in a loss.

J. A. MILLAR." Mr Duncan replied to this telegram as- follows:—• ( '

"Trust you can arrange train from Ward on St. Patrick's Day. Sorry to haar that oh a previous occasion the train was run at a loss. That, however, was mainly owing to insufficient notice."

Mr Duncan received the following telegram from the Minister: — "Special train will be arranged Ward to Seddon oiv St. Patrick's Day Provided a guarantee of £10 is given, 'lease instruct those concerned to communicate with station-masjber in charge."

Mr Duncan, upon the receipt of this telegram, despatched the following:— "Minister for Railways, "Wellington. "Conditions trsin from Ward St. Patrick's D::y accepted. Regret you have seen fit to impose such. Consider them altogether too stringent upon Flaxbourae settlers1, who have already suffered1 from want of railway facilities.'"

Mr Duncan also sent the following telegrams to the secretary of the Flaxbourne Settlers' Association:—

"Railway Department state previous trains resulted in loss. Require guarantee of £10 for St. Patrick's Day. Proposed time-table: Leave Ward about 9.45; leave Blenheim 4.30."

"In crcter to secure reasonable time for publicity train St. Patrick's Day I have arranged guarantee. How will time-table suit?"

"Train service St. Patrick's Day, Ward 8.45, leave Blenheim 5 p.m. Railway manager will insert notice in to-day's Exi-eess."