MAIN TRUNK LIMITED.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18363, 22 April 1925, Page 9

MAIN TRUNK LIMITED.

A SATISFACTORY SERVICE,

(SPECIAL TO "TUX PBI83.") WELLINGTON, April 21. The Hon. J. (',. Coates stated to-day that the attention of the railway transportation officers will be next directed to tho Auckland-Rotorua i-.nd Auck-land-Thames express services with the object of reducing the journey time. "I hope," he says, "to be in a position to announce the results in the near future. .So far as the proposed daylight Main Trunk express service is concerned, it will be probably rcmemlwred that when the 'limited' express was first inaugurated the intention was to try tb.e fcervice out. first as a night train and later as a daylight service to enable tho scenic portions of tlie ipurney to be traversed in daylight. Since announcing the intention, howover, of putting the proposal into practice .'iter the Easier holidays, a considerable number of objections have been raised to any interference with the present 'limited'-service. It has been represented from many quarters that tho night 'limited' has tilled a longfelt want and is an exceedingly valuable service for business men find others in thp-t they are able to transact r, full day's business in either Wellington or Auckland travelling toaud from their destination during the night hours. The connexions to p.nd from Kotorua. Thames, Hawke's Bay, Wairarapa and Trxanaki districts arc all provided for, and would not be made so satisfactorily for a daylight- service. On the other hand, tho time occupied on the journey by the present ordinary express precludes that train being converted to a daylight service, and any interference would destroy tho connexion with tho North Auckland express at Auckland. "Another reason put forward against the suggested conversion of the night 'limited'ton daylight 'limited'is that with the shorter winter df;.ys now approaching the time is inopportune satisfactorily to test out the' merits of the service. Looking at the matter from all points of view, thero can be little doubt that the 'limited' has given general satisfaction, an<l the opposition raised to the proposed change has caused the Board r.nd -myself seriously to consider tho desirability of leaving tho services as they are until November or December, when a more satisfactory trial could bo given."