THE PROPOSED ALTERATIONS IN THE RAILWAY TIME TABLE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 4982, 15 April 1889, Page 4

THE PROPOSED ALTERATIONS IN THE RAILWAY TIME TABLE.

Sib, —The proposed new railway time table should at once receive some notice from the travelling public between Geraldine, Temuka, and Timaru. Firstly the only train for limaru stopping at all stations will not leave Winchester and Temuka until 1.30 p.m., reaching Timaru at 3 30 p.m., and not returning the same day. Even supposing that under the new table the north express stops at Temuka, which is doubtful, to drop passengers, what good can business people do between 230 and 5 p.m., especially on Saturdays, when the offices close at 12, and on the best advantages there will only be half an hour of banking hours. The sop which is given us, namely, a train leaving Timaru at 12 o’clock on three days, may benefit a few passengers between the Eangitata and Ashburton, but I can hardly see what good it will be to the Geraldine district. The reporter of the Lyttelton Times upholds these arrangements, and seems to think that no business is done except in Christchurch and Dunedin, and that the convenience of the whole county of Geraldine must be subservient to these towns. It is quite beyond him to understand that many people in a fairly large way have not the slightest interest in either of these towns, and transact the whole of their business in Timaru. The goods traffic will also be much inconvenienced, and as we constantly only get a few hours notice of the arrival of the intercolonial steamers, wool consignments especially, which have to go into store for dumping, cannot catch the steamer between 2.30 and 5 p.m. If the time-table is persisted in a regular system of coach traffic will no doubt be established, and the carters, who even now seriously interfere with the railway traffic, will get a still stronger hold. During the sessions of the Supreme and District Courts the inconvenience will bo still more felt, and jurors and witnesses who cannot manage to drive or ride will have to spend three days in Timaru without, perhaps, ever being called, and so have to pay their own expenses. I am, &c., A. W. Ensoe. Winchester, April 10th, 1889.