THE DUNEDIN-MOSGIEL TRAIN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23106, 4 February 1937, Page 7

THE DUNEDIN-MOSGIEL TRAIN

TO THE EDITOR

Sir.—The local which appeared in your issue of Tuesday, with reference to the proposed alteration in the time of departure of the 7.6 a.m. and 8.14 a.m.\ trains from Mosgiel provides an illuminating example of the methods followed by the Railways Department in an endeavour to obtain support for a proposal which does not appear to receive the commendation of the majority of the train travellers concerned. It matters not to that august body, the Borough Council, that practically none of its members travel by the trains in question or to the Railways Department that an expression of opinion from eight councillors could be regarded as representative of the wishes of the majority of the train travellers. No doubt any new business on the agenda requiring discussion at the monthly meetings of the council provide a welcome diversion to councillors from mere matters of detail such as the wretched state of the borough streets and footpaths or the other hardy annual—the condition of the water supply. And so the council, in its zealous endeavours to promote the welfare of the borough, commends the suggestion to alter the present times of departure and the Railways Department, fortified by the resolution of the council, will no doubt proceed to put the suggestion into Recently train travellers were asked to state whether they were in favour of the proposal, and in the carriage in which the writer was travelling a show of hands indicated that the majority were strongly against it. I understand that a similar position obtained in other carriages. To my mind the consulting of the actual train travellers is the only satisfactory method of obtaining a proper indication of the merits or otherwise of the proposal. It is a pity the Railways Department did not take cognisance of the fact, and act accordingly, instead of burdening the local councillors with further responsibilities which, judged from the condition of the streets and footpaths, water supply, etc., constitute a greater problem than they are able to cope with.—l am, etc.. Train Traveller. Mosgiel.