MELBOURNE-BLUFF SERVICE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21020, 8 May 1930, Page 14

MELBOURNE-BLUFF SERVICE.

IMPROVED RAILWAY FACILITIES. During its recent visit to Invercargill the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce discussed the question of the MelbourneBluff shipping service with the Invercargill Chamber. Among other points raised was the need for regularity of service and adequate advertising. It was also contended that the time of departure from Bluff should be such as would enable passengers to leave Christchurch on the Monday and travel hy the through express and join the steamer the same evening. It is gratifying to know that the interest displayed by the Chamber of Commerce has not been without effect. Mi' _ H. H. Sterling, general manager of railways, has now advised the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce that, as a result of negotiations carried on between himself and the Union Steam Ship Company, very complete arrangements have now been made for the convenience of passengers arriving at Bluff from Melbourne by the Maheno. When the Mahono arrived at Bluff on Monday, April 7, the cars and luggage van were placed on the approach to the wharf. This trial proved very satisfactory, as it brought the luggage van and cars to within a few yards of the office in which the Customs examination is made. Thus the passengers were saved the long walk to the railway station. A ticket office was also set up alongside the Customs examining shed, and this convenience was also much appreciated hy passengers. On future occasions when the boat trains reach the wharf at Bluff the cars will be placed on the approach to the wharf, thus saving much time and work in the handling of luggage. The Union Steam Ship Company has undertaken to advise the station master at Dunedin of the approximate number of passengers and the train by which they will travel to connect with the steamer at Bluff for Melbourne. If the number of passengers warrants such a course, and it is possible to do so, special cars will be provided from Dunedin to Invercargill, and on arrival at the latter station the cars will be transferred to connecting trains and run through to Bluff, without the passengers having to change trains. If the ordinary BluffInvercargill train service is not suitable a special train will be run between these points to make the steamer connection. Another matter which has received attention is. the checking of passengers’ luggage. In future, arrangements will bo made to enable checked luggage to be put directly on hoard the steamer in the care of the steamers’ officers, thus saving the passengers any trouble in the matter of transferring between the train and steamer. Mr Sterling states that as a result of Lyttelton and Dunedin being omitted as ports of call on the return journey from Wellington to Melbourne, South Island passengers for Australia who formerly joined the boats at those ports now travel to Bluff by rail to embark. This has resulted in a considerable increase in the number of passengers conveyed. by rail. \