STATE TRANSPORT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23203, 24 November 1938, Page 12

STATE TRANSPORT

ANOTHER ROAD SERVICE AUCKLAND TO PUTARURU DEPARTMENT'S PURCHASE PROGRAMME COMPLETED Freight services operated by Mr. H. j E. Salter between Auckland, Morrinsville, Matamata and Putaruru have been taken over by the Railways Department. This marks the completion of the department's programme for assuming control of long-distance road services in the Auckland district. A fleet of four trucks is included in the latest purchase. All extended route services in the Auckland district considered to be suitab!e*to operate in conjunction with the railways are now controlled by the department. " They consist of 10 separate services and 51 vehicles, with a staff of 80. The department, it is believed, will continue to operate these services, and to increase their .efficiency. Plans for a central depot are understood to be under consideration. Traffic on all routes has been -heavy and is increasing steadily with the approach of Christmas. The services are now controlled by Mr. 11. Reiaop, of the commercial branch of the department, assisted by Mr. J. Hannah and a staff. Services in the Auckland district taken over and now operated by the department are as follows: Pelton Waikato Transport (Auckland and Hamilton), McClymont's Iransport (Auckland and Hamilton), A. E. Hicks (Auckland and Hamilton), ISorthern Transport (Whangarei and Dargaville), I'\ Parsons (Auckland and le Awainutu), M. J. Hilders (Auckland and Otorohanga), A. 8.-Carter (Auckland and Otorohanga), Auckland-Gis-borne Transport (Taneatua, Opotiki, Whakatane and Gisborne), H. Hjorth (Auckland, Cambridge and Putaruru), H. E. Salter (Auckland, Morrinsville, Matamata and Putaruru). FIVE MILES OFF HIGHWAY ANXIETY IN TE KUITI [by TELEGRAPH —OWN correspondent] TE KUITI, Wednesday An application by the New Zealand Railways to come before the No 1 Licensing Authority in Te Kuiti to-morrow seeks the right to operate over a route between Auckland and Te Kuiti and the right to serve districts within five miles of the main highway, and provides that five vehicles should be placed in the service at the outset. At a meeting of carriers last evening it was stated that it looked as if the department might be seeking the right to deliver from the rail up to a distance of five miles. That would mean it would charge the freight as one amount, cutting out local carriers. A petition is being circulated among the business men of the town protesting against the department's proposal and it is being extensively signed.