The Daily News WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER, 11, 1901. THE NEW YEAR'S DAY SEASIDE EXCURSION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 293, 11 December 1901, Page 2

The Daily News WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER, 11, 1901. THE NEW YEAR'S DAY SEASIDE EXCURSION.

Whin we wrote on this question a short time back, and urged the people of New Plymouth to go on with their arrangements, we pointed out what a disappointment it would be to those living along the line if this popular outing was abandoned. In" our last issue we mentioned that Mr Tatton, the popular Mayor of Stratford, bad interviewed Mr Piper, the traffic manager, and urged that provision should be made for excursionists on 'New Tear's Day. So far, Mr Tatton's efforts have bean unauccessful. We do not, however, expect the last has been heard of the matter, as the Stratford people, when they want anything, generally succeed in getting it. The objection to the course suggested by Mr Piper, to run a train at even cheaper ratSffhan the ordinary axcursien fares, irthat the holidays will be practically ever, and many who can get away at Christmas and New Yearj cannot do so two or three weeks afterwards. TheEltham Argus, in an article! on the question says:—Mr Tatton, the] energetic Mayor of Stratford, has beenj endeavouring to arrange for an excursion train being run from that town! to New Plymouth on New Year's Day. He has communicated with Mr Piper, district railway traffic manager on the subject;, but has been informed that this cannot be done this year, owiog to the shortage of rolling stock, the greatly increased traffic, and the running of the two extra mail trains.' " Shortage of rolling stock " seems always to be the great bugbear on the! Taranaki section. We do not know why this should be the case, as the most progressive province in the colony is entitled to as much consideration in this respect as is shown to other provinces throughout the colony. Besides, it is rather a left-handed way of doing business to institute a system of liberal passenger fares, and provide cattle trucks for the reception of people who takead vantage of these concessions, women and children being packed together like " sardines in a tin," to use a celloquial phrase. In this matter we are not holding a brief for Stratford, as that town has the reputation of being well able to look after itself, and feecause the railway authorities intend to organise a monster seaside excursion to the Breakwater two er three weeks after the New Year at cheaper rates than are bow being charged for ChristI mas excursions; bat simply desire to [ point out that it is a rank injustice that the people of Taranaki are not provided with reasonable passenger accommodation duriDg probably the most popular season of holiday-making throughout the year.