SUPPORT GIVEN TO CANTERBURY TRAIN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18644, 22 December 1928, Page 12

SUPPORT GIVEN TO CANTERBURY TRAIN.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN FAVOUR OF PLAN. The Canterbury train, for which tentative arrangements have already been made between the Canterbury Progress League and the Railway Department. met with the full endorsement of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce and Manufacturers’ Association. representatives of which two bodies met the league’s Railway Committee yesterday afternoon to .discuss ways and means of co-operation in the venture. As a result of the conference a management committee, consisting of two representatives from each of the three bodies, has been set up to take charge of the future arrangements. Judging by the number of applications for accommodation on the train already received by the Progress League, there should be little difficult}' in securing the desired complement of passengers. The tour will occupy approximately nine days, and will commence from Christchurch on Friday, February 22, at 10.30 p.m., concluding on Monda v, March 4, at 6 a.m. The itinerary will provide a comprehensive tour of the South Island railways. The cost, inclusive of fares and refreshments on the train, is £l3, and it is estimated that extras in the way of side trips and incidentals will amount to a further £5. The train will consist of four sleeping cars two parlour cars, a utility car, a day car, and a fully equipped bath car. Government officers will accompany the train in order to lecture passengers on the farming resources and possibilities of the country travelled, and on matters of interest from the scenic, engineering. and historical points of view. A daily bulletin will be issued on the train, and secretarial and stenographic assistants will be at the disposal of passengers free of charge. The establishment of intermittent telephone communication with Christchurch will also be arranged, and the comfort and convenience of passengers will be studied in every possible way. The party will be limited to sixty-five male passengers, and berths will be allotted in order of receipt of applications. The conference decided vesterdav to send out a circular letter to members of the three bodies participating in the arrangements setting out the itinerary and other information.