NOT JUSTIFIED.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18412, 19 June 1925, Page 8

NOT JUSTIFIED.

THROUGH DAILY EXPRESS SERVICE.

DISAPPOINTING PASSENGER TRAFFIC.

(srEciAL to "tub thess;')

■WELLINGTON, Juno 18.

The Prime- Minister, in his capacity of Minister of Railways, stated to-day that a very full return had been supplied to him in connexion with tho volumo of traffic on tho ChristchurchInvcrcargill expresses since tho accelerated service camo into operation on May 11th last. "It will bo remembered," said Mr Coates, "that I decided in April to retain the daily express servicein order to see what tho effect of tho improved servieo would bo. The passenger traffic, I am sorry to say, does not justify tho further retention of tho daily service, and after fully discussing the matter with the Board, the divisional superintendent and other transport officers, it has been decided to withdraw the through expresses on "Wednesdays and Fridays,, retaining the present senvico between Christen arch and Invcrcargill and Invercargill and Christchurch on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The Chrisiohurch-Dunedin, and Dunedin-Invercargill mail trains will run on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridavs as hitherto. ''The running of tho OhristchurchInvercnrgill express on Mondays is a considerable improvement on last year's winter's time-table, and will be a very convenient servieo for passengers arriving by ferry steamer from the North Island on Sunday mornings, as well as for travellers and others desiring to leave Christchurch earlier on Monday mornings. "A very closo tally will be kept of tho passenger traffic during the winter months, and steps will be taken to restore the full daily service as soon as it is warranted by the passenger traffia offering."