RAILCAR SERVICE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22538, 1 October 1936, Page 14

RAILCAR SERVICE

CHATEAU TO WAITOIO COMPETITION WITH MOTOR THE NEEDS OF TRAVELLERS [by TELEGRAPH OA'S correspondent] RAETIHI, Wednesday An application by Webbs' Motors for the renewal of the licence to operate between the Chateau Tongariro and the Waitomo Caves Hostel, beyond the period when the new railcar service would be operated, was opposed by the Railway Department at a sitting today of the No. 2 Licensing Authority, Mr. P. Skoglund. The route 'was viaf' Hangatiki-Te Kuiti-Waitomo. Mr. Ritchie, who appeared for Webbs' Motors, referred to the fact that the licensing authority had granted the licence, an objection by the Railway Department being withdrawn. An appeal had been made against the decision, but the Transport Co-ordination Board had confirmed the licence, and had found that the objection of the Railway Department was that the Wanganui railway service was good enough to meet the position. IDelay in Operation The fact that the railcars on the service probably would not he operating for some considerable time, was referred to by Mr. Ritchie. His client had been told last September .that the cars would be in operation in nine months from that time, but apparently that was only a hope. Webbs' Motors had been asked by the Railway Department when they made their previous application, whether, if granted permission to pioneer the service they would apply for its renewal. The reply was a definite affirmative. The original application was made in September, 1535, said Mr. Ritchie, and the Co-ordination Board confirmed the licence in November. He said tourists wanted the ijcenery they could get by car In opposing the application, Mr. Miller, for the Railway Department, said that Mr. O'Cennell, of the Waitomo Hostel, supported the railcar in preference to the service car. He contended that the lower fares of the railways, the steam heating arrangements and the convenience of the railcars were far more iin keeping with the needs of passengers than an overcrowded service sar. If the daylight limited had been running there would have been no application for the service. Would Webbs run for one passenger ? Mr. Webb: Yes. On the very day the Co-ordination Board granted the licence we did the trip with only one passenger. Railcar Parts Held Up Mr. Miller stated that the new railcars would be ready to be put on the route in the 1937-3$ season. There was at present a hold-up of parts in the Old Country for the completion of. the railcars for the ISew Plymouth and other routes. Mr. Skoglund, in reviewing the evidence, said he was unable to give his decision at the moment owing to the fact that the service was operated also in the No. 1 Licensing Authority's district. He would confer with that authority in Wellington in about a fortnight. On the evidence in. hand he thought Webbs' Motors should not have been granted a licence to go further than Te Kuiti or Rangitiki. If the decision were given against Webbs then the railways would be required to pay compensation for the two cars purchased for the service. He would recommend that a licence should be granted until the inauguration of the railcar service and until after the service had been given a good trial. The position would then be reviewed. ,