IMPROVED SERVICE NEEDED

Taranaki Daily News, 28 April 1934, Page 10

IMPROVED SERVICE NEEDED

HAWERA MORNING PASSENGERS. LICENSING AUTHORITY'S VIEW. “There is need, in our view, for improved conununication between South Taranaki and New Plymouth,” said Mr. Percy Thomson, chairman of the No. 5 Transport Licensing Authority, which sat at Hawera yesterday. “That also applies to Central Taranaki.” The other members of the authority, Mr. J. C. Rolleston and Major R. A. Wilson, were in accord with this view. Mr. Thomson’s statement arose from the granting of a renewal of Mr. C. E. Fincham’s license for a daily run between Hawera and New Plymouth. The renewal stipulated that his time-table should be reviewed after three months. The authority felt it was necessary there should be a new vehicle on the run and was pleased to hear that one was proposed. With a new car it was thought possible to speed up the service. Probably because of’ the economic position there was not a great demand, either on railway or road, for passenger services at present but it would grow.

Mr. Fincham, in evidence, said his time was slowed because his was the first car on the road and took most of the intermediate parcel and passenger traffic. He had heard no suggestions for improvement, except complaints about the earlier service being deleted. Mr. L. A. Taylor gave evidence that the present morning train and ’bus services arrived at New Plymouth too late for the Supreme Court and were also inconvenient for other business at New Plymouth. Mr. L. A. B. Plant was granted a renewal, of his passenger license for the Hawera-Kaponga service, leave being given for him not to run the service on certain public holidays and to provide additional trips on special days, the fare on these occasions to be reduced by 10 per cent.

Mr. G. H. Hooper’s passenger license for .the Hawera-Opunake service via Skeet Road was renewed. Egmont Tourist Motors Ltd. was granted a renewal of its Hawera-Opunake passenger license. Mr. Plant asked the authority to consider the position of Egmont Tourist Motors’ Te Ngutu run, on its rural mail service. This was licensed to passengers along 14 of the 18 miles of his route. The two cars ran.from Hastings Road to Hawera at practically the same time. For the company Mr. E. K. Cameron said the passenger revenue on the run was only £6 13s last year. Nobody wanted to travel by a rural mail car unless there was no other service available at the time. The authority pointed out ’that no objection was raised when the Egmont Tourist Motors’ license was granted. The company’s rural mail’ passenger service license for its four runs was renewed on the same terms as previously. The authority said it would be competent for any operator to make objection when the license was renewed again, but at the present did’ not feel justified in restricting the rights given to the company. Mr. W. J. L. Thorpe, Eltham, was given a goods service area license, for the cartage of metal only, in the Clifton, Stratford and Eltham counties. His application was heard at Stratford on Thursday and decision reserved. Tire transfer of Hayward Bros’ goods license to Mr. W. Hayward, Normanby, was granted. PERSONAL. Mr. W. A. Spragg was elected a life member by the Hawera Acclimatisation Society on Thursday night, as a tribute to his 20 years of service. He resigned from the council, of which he was vicepresident. Mr. W. Hainsworth, after eight years’ residence at Hawera, has accepted a position at Levin. He and Mrs. Hainsworth will leave for their new home next week. KAPUNI PERSONAL ITEMS. Mr. and Mrs. Cameron have returned from New Plymouth. Mrs. T. Collins has left for a holiday at Auckland. Mr. Eric Leslie, who is an inmate of the Kaponga Hospital, is improving slowly. Mrs. J. S. Gamlin has declined to accept. nomination for the presidency of the Kapuni branch of the W.D.F.U. for a further term and on her retirement she was thanked for her past .services. ADVERTISERS’ ANNOUNCEMENTS An outstanding long night Swiss dance will be held in the Kaponga Hall on Tuesday, when there will be good prizes, music and floor. The annual meeting of the Hawera Literary and Debating Society will be held on Monday in the law library at the Hawera Courthouse. The annual meeting of the Egmont A. and P. Association will be held in the Association’s buildings, Nelson Street, Hawera, on May 19 at 1.30 p.m. Nominations for officers must be in the hands of the secretary (Mr. R. McCay) on or before May 10. Particulars are advertised. • A modern and old-time dance will be held by the Legion of Frontiersmen in the Foresters’ Hall, Hawera, on Wednesday. Particulars are advertised. A gift evening will be tendered to Miss Emily Davis in the Oddfellows’ Hall,’ Manaia, on Wednesday next. The Farmers’ Union and the W.D.F.U. will hold a social and dance in the Rewa rooms, Hawera, on Tuesday, May 8, at 8 p.m.

The annual meeting of the Oeo Hall Society will be on Monday evening in the hall.

Smith and Trim Ltd. advertise particulars of their mart sales at Hawera to-day of 250 cases of fruit, also produce and vegetables, at 11 a.m., and of poultry, including 8 Cadman Strain White Leghorn pullets, gun in first-class order, Household furniture and a further small consignment of ladies’ and children’s wear at 1.30 p.m.

M Squadron, Legion of Frontiersmen, will hold an old-time dance in the Mangatoki Hall on May 10. A free bus will run from Eltham.

The annual meeting of the Hawera branch of the Red Cross Society will be held in the Borough Chambers, Hawera, on Wednesday, at 8 p.m. The presentation of the Egmont tennis shield will take place at the Matapu hall on Monday at a social evening arranged by the Egmont Tennis Association. The shield was won this year by the Matapu tennis club, after a contest considered to have been the best for several years. A number of visitors from associated clubs is expected.