PAHIATUA.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 746, 18 June 1886, Page 17

PAHIATUA.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) June 14. To-day the railway that runs from Wellington to Masterton was formally opened a stage further, namely, to Mauriceville. We are much concerned about the new coaching arrangements, and as no public notices have appeared I can only give what I have picked up. In futux-e passengers leaving Wellington early in the morning will arrive at Woodville about 7 p.m., and can by special arrangement be taken on to Tahoraite the same night, and leave next morning about 7 for Napier. But the usual course will be to sleep at Woodville, and next day to proceed at 4 a.m. to Tahoraite and Napier. People here seem to think this 4 a.m. business a

great nuisance, and I shall not be surprised to hear of the train being shifted on an hour later inafew weeks. There is keen coaching competition between Woodville and Tahoraite ; besides Macara, who carries the mail, no fewer than three coaches, owned by Birss, Edwards, and Hamlin are running. Besides this, a firm called Petersen and Vile announce coaches at low rates between Mauriceviile, Woodville, Palmerston, and Tahoraite. To run the latter gentlemen off, it is rumored that Macara intends to charge only one shilling a trip in any direction so long as Petersen and Vile run. Between all these, the unfortunate tourist is certain to suffer. Ido not say Government should prescribe anything, but I do say they should compel coaches to advertise their fares and time-table, and make them stick to it. Also, coaches should be inspected. I could tell you a tale of wheels coming off, and drivers drunk on duty, and Maoris smoking inside when there were lady passengers, and traces fastened on with seaming twine. There is at present no appeal against these things, and competition only exists under great difficulties, as the coaches that carry the mail have a large subsidy, and hence are in a position to run opponents off the road as described above.