CATLINS RAILWAY SERVICE.

Clutha Leader, Volume XL, Issue 40, 18 November 1913, Page 5

CATLINS RAILWAY SERVICE.

TRAIN FOR "WEEK-ENDERS." There are at present petitions being circulated in the Catlius district asking for an extension in the Monday train service during the summer months by running trains similar to the Friday service to and from Balclutha, giving extra morning and evening trains connecting with the expresses north and south. The petition sets out the following claims in support of the desired extended service: (a) With the present service Friday isthe only day in the week on which we can go to Dunedin and return on the same day; (2) there are quite a number of persons residing outside the Oatlins district who have summer residences at Port Molyneux, Pounawea and elsewhere whom such a service would enable to pay week-end visits and return to their business on Monday mornings, and thus greatly popularise our seaside resorts; (c) even if this service for which we are asking is termed somewhat of an experiment, we would point out that our branch is generally believed to be one of the best paying in the service. it goes without saying that the petition is receiving unanimous approval in [the Catlins district, and all asked to append their names have no hesitation in doing so. Such a movement should also secure the approval of all residents of Balclutha and neighbourhood, for the benefit of the desired service would fall greater on us and our neighbours than on the bush residents. We are handsomely endowed by Nature with the most favourite holiday resorts comparatively near to us, but these are de« nied to the majority because of unrelk ! able roads and a train service which prohibits all but the persons of leisure from availing themselves of it. Port Molyneux, Pounaweaj Gatlins River, and the many other places, rich in sport and Nature's gifts, can only be visited for the week-end by means of horse or petrol, the expense of which prevents most people from enjoying them frequently. There is also to be considered the public on the main line from Dunedin to luvereargill, who would gladly avail themselves of an opportunity to spend the week-end at the above-named delightful resorts, but under existing conditions those places must remain only a name, and not a memory. Apart from the business prospect of giving Catlius a better communication with the outside world, the popularity of the many localities down the branch line as seaside, fishing and shooting resorts would of itself, we are sure, make the running of the service on Mondays.as asked for a profitable undertaking for the Railway Department, and make the district not only the garden, but the playground of Otago. The movement has our heartiest approval, and it is one which we have advocated repeatedly in the past.