WHANGAREI-OPUA TRAIN SERVICE.

Northland Age, Volume II, Issue 31, 6 August 1930, Page 6

WHANGAREI-OPUA TRAIN SERVICE.

1 The foltowing reply has been ! made to Capt. Rushworth’s rep- ! resentation regarding the curtailment of the train service between Whangarei and Opua: — Minister’s Office, Wellington. 28th July, 1930 Dear Sir, With reference to your representations regarding the curtailment of the train services between Whangarei and Opua, I desire to say that I have had this matter carefully considered in the light of the information that you have supplied. Assuming that your remarks as regards the likelihood of motor competition cutting deeply into our business refer to the traffic from such areas as Kaitaia, Horeke, Kaeo and Mangonui, I wish to say that the service cars from these areas have always run on to Otiria instead of connecting with the ra.ilj head at Okaihau, presumably ‘ owing to the fact that the road route is more direct. I am also

informed that old established opposition service cars are rurin ng between Kaikohe and Whspigarei. We appreciate the fact that the curtailment of the express services will intensify this competition to some extent, b\tf h aving regard to the considerable saving that will be achieved in 4 operating expenses, it is felt that the coutiauation of a full service would not by any means give us a return equivalent to that offered by the curtailment. In addition to this I would like to emphasise the fact that we are now giving the people the, service that they had two winters ago, and that such service then proved sufficient tor their needs. It is hoped that the residents will adjust themselves substantially to the altered services and while the road services will doubtless secure a certain amount of our passenger business, we feel that in view of the imperative nature @f the call for reduction of expenditure there is option but to curtail the services ■ under review. Yours faithfully, [ (Sgd.) W. A Vpitch, ; Minister of Railways. 4 1 Captain H. M. Rushworth, M.P., • Parliament Buildings, ; Wellington.