NEW RAILWAY BUS SERVICES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 94, 24 April 1946, Page 4

NEW RAILWAY BUS SERVICES

PALMERSTON, TAIHAPE, AND TO HAMILTON (0.C.) Marton, April 23. Authority for the New Zealand Koad Services to operate a road passenger service between Taihape and t'ahnerston North, subject to certain pick-up conditions, was granted by the Transport Licensing Authority, Mr. J. P. O. Skoglund, at a sitting in Taihape last week. The decision preceded an application from Mr. J. H. C. Gower for permission to extend his Taihape-Hunterville service to Marton, which came before the authority when it sat in Marton last week. The hearing was again adjourned from Taihape so that thej application could be considered by thaJ Minister of Railways. M The Railways’ application was supported by Mr. P. Taylor, who said his department ultimately proposed to run services between Palmerston North and Taihape, Taihape to Taumarunul, and Taumarunui to Hamilton, to provide fast passenger services in place of the existing slow mixed train services. The railways proposals were supported bv the Taihape Borough Council and the Taihape Retailers’ Association. Evidence for the former was given bv the Deputy-Mayor of Taihape (Mr. N. Ashenden), and for the latter by Mr. B. J. Durney. Mr. R. M. S. Jones (Hunterville), on behalf of Crichton’s service from Hunterville to Wanganui, opposed the application, with particular regard to the Railways’ proposed service below Hunterville. He asked that a restriction be made on the picking up of passengers between Hunterville and the Tutaenui junction. An objection was also entered for Weld Motors, which runs a service between Marton and Palmerston North. Mr. Weld said that if the Railways Department was allowed to pick up passengers on the Curl's BridgePalmerston North section, it would cut into 50 per cent of his custom. There could bp no doubt about . granting the licence for the said Mr. Skoglund. However, there™ was provision in the Act for the Authority to consider the interest of other concerns on the same route regarding picking un and setting down of passengers. He would grant the application subject to such conditions, which were to be determined. All narties would be notified of these, ana be given the right of appeal, even If it were necessarv for the Authority to sit again to hear appeals.