SUNDAY TRAINS

Chronicle (Levin), 13 June 1946, Page 2

SUNDAY TRAINS

NO HOPE FOR OTAKI AT 4 , . ,/.>( PRESENT ' / The' Hoii. R. 'semplA has -written .to' Mr. L. G. Lowry, M.P., as follows: — "With reference to your persohal representations to me 011 be.half of ' 'the Otaki Commercial Associ'ation," urging the provision of a train from Wellington to Otaki , on Sun.day . mornings, I desire to • inform you that this matter has been given eareful and sympathetic consideration,' but I regret t'nat I am unable to accede to this request. "The position is that the amount of coal- made available for the department's use is very much below normal requirements, and on this account there must be particularly strong reasons before additional passenger services can be added to the present rtestricted timetable. "When the request centres round Sunday trains, however, an additional factor is that the staff forming train crews have been working very long hours each week over an extended period, and in many cases without the usual break each year for annual leave, and it is necessary to ensure that as many men as possible are booked off on Sundays to break their continuity of duty. Until the staff position very much improves there is little likelihood of additional Sunday trains being intrdduced into the timetable. ' "I feel sure that you will understand the department's- difficulties in this matter, and -the reasons which preclude me from acceding to your wishes with regard to the request for a train from Wellington to Otaki on Sunday mornings."