DRURY TRAIN SERVICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14110, 12 July 1909, Page 6

DRURY TRAIN SERVICE.

AN EDUCATIONAL ASPECT.

The question of a continuance of the *arly and lata train service between Auckland and Drury was urged upon the Hon. Geo. Fowlde, Minister for Education, by & largo deputation which travelled down the line for some distance during the Minister's return from Cambridge to Auckland on Saturday afternoon.

Mr. E. W. Jones introduced the deputation and explained that they were approaching Mr. Fowlds on account of the serious loss which would result to country children attending city schools if the Minister for Railways adhered to his decision to suspend the service. The scholars could not then reach town until 9.30 a.m., which would mean the loss of an hour each day. Members of the deputation strenuously combated Mr. Millar's estimate of a loss of £1800 a year on the running of the service, and contended that all tickets purchased at stations between Otaliuhu and Drury by passengers for Auckland should be credited to the service instead of only the tickets issued between Drury and Otahuhu as at present.. The Minister: It seems to me that the only question between the Minister and yourselves is whether the Department should-go on losing money. Mr. J. Flanagan said that providing the Minister for Railways would submit a full statement of receipts and expenditure, residents of the district concerned would guarantee to make up any reasonable deficit. Mr. C. H. Lupton said that if the estimate of conducting the service—which was run with one of the smallest engines and a couple of car? —was reckoned on the basis of tne average cost throughout New Zealand then the average revenue should be calculated. It was unfair to take the actual revenue as against the average cost. The Minister promised the deputation that he would see what could be done 10 assist them.

GUARANTEE BEING CONSIDERED. The following teleeram was received by Mr. A. E. Glover, M.P., from the Minister for Railways, on Saturday, in reply to a communication tent by him regarding the suspension of the early and late train service between Auckland and Drury :— "If you can advocate the continuance of a train" which figures show costs 9s 2d to earn Is lOd, I think you will have to admit that the railways cannot be made to pay. lam considering the question of offering those "gentlemen eo desirous of having the train continued a form of guarantee which will cover the lose incurred by running tho train, as I do not feel justified, in the public interest, in continuing the running of a train which gives such poor results- The average number of passengers per train is only 15 between Papatoetoe "and Drury, and the train is being extended to Papatoetoe as a permanent train in lieu of its being of a temporary or experimental nature, as at present."