THE COLONIST. MONDAY, AUGUST 30, 1915. THE NELSON-WEST COAST MAIL SERVICES.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13859, 30 August 1915, Page 4

THE COLONIST. MONDAY, AUGUST 30, 1915. THE NELSON-WEST COAST MAIL SERVICES.

For a long time past persistent efforts have been made to secure an improved overland mail service between Nelson and the West Coast, the Nelson Chamber of Commerce and -its Murclnson branch having been particularly active in the matter. As has been reported in these columns from time to time. Ministers have been interviewed, and Departmental heads have had continuously urged upon them the great need for "a thrice-weekly service in place of the present, twice-weekly one, and also ! the necessity for accelerating the tram | service so as to avoid the long stay of overland passengers at Glenhope, and secure their earlier arrival in Nelson. The representations were ultimately successful and the Postal Department and Railway Department were engaged upon the necessary arrangements for a thrice-weekly -service when last week word was received that the proposed improvement was to be dropped ana the present arrangements adhered to. This is a great disappointment, espeo ially 1 to Murchkon and Nelson. At the time the notice of cancellation was received the Nelson Chamber, of Commerce was considering tho proposed new time-table, which the railway manager here had courteously fonvavded for an expression of opinion, and Messrs Newman Bros, had given orders for new cars to provide for the enlarged service. The Parliamentary representatives of the districts concerned took prompt action, as the report of their interview with Mr. Herries on Friday morning shows/but a very serious misstatement was made at that interview. lit is reported that "it was pointed out that it was only a matter of one more train per week." This is not the case. The proposed new timetable does not add a single mile to the mileage of the present service, so that as far as the Railway Department is concerned the proposals would not increase the running cost, while the improved service would certainly tend to increase through traffic, for it would link up witli the Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday steamer service to Wellington, and vice versa. At present there is no train to Glenhope on Thursday; under the proposed timetable it would be on Friday that there would b© no train for that terminus. ; On Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday;itrains;.would leave for Glenhope at 7.45, a.m., and on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday'trains would leave Glenhope for Nelson at about half .past two o'clock in place cf 3.35 p.m.. on Monday, Tuesday and Friday as now, arriving in Nelson at about 6.30 o'clock instead of 7.40 as now. The through ■,outward, service from Nelson would be Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, and the through inward service Monday, Wednesday and Friday. While many interests are affected the interior districts are chiefly concerned, especially the Murchison centre, and strong renewed efforts are being made to have the thrice-weekly service established. The cost to the Railway Department would be practically nil, with a prospect of increased returns resulting, and it do«s not appear possible tliat the cost to the Postali Department would be such as to justify refusal to grant a convenience so urgently required. In Murchison some action was contemplated on Saturday, and in Reefton and Westport, we understand, steps are also being taken. The council of the Nelson Chamber of Commerce will meet this afternoon to further consider the matter, and will probably take, action in which the business community generally will have an opportunity of joining. We have a, really good case, and it is for all who wish to advance the interests of the district to promptly render every assistance possible to those who are working in the matter and give the representations to be made the strength of numbers as well as that of a good case on ite merits. ,