MANAWATU TRAIN SERVICE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 952, 20 October 1910, Page 4

MANAWATU TRAIN SERVICE.

THE STOPPING-PLACES.. '*1 have given the question ; of stopping, the Wellington-Auckland express trains at intermediate stations the fullest consideration, and regret; that' I 'cannot comply with any request having for its object the increasing of the number of stops now made by these trains," says the Minister for Railways' in: reply ■ to < a question put by. Mr. Field. "So far as the Wellington-Manawatu railway is concerned, a liberal train-service, providing for local and through ; requirements, already exists,-and every station 7 along the line is served by 'at least oneI.'"1.'" express train-each way per day, in addition to the mixed - services, The WellingtonAuckland express trains have to cover a long distance, and it is essential that the journey-time should be made,as short as practicable in the interests of the through passengers. Fast services cannot be provided if : freguent stops are to be made. But for the fact that the through express trains are aßlo to run between Wellington and Palmcrstou North without stopping for local requirements, they could not make their present . time, and, having regard to the general interests of the whole community, an' alteration in the direction of increasing the number of stopping-places' wo-ud be detrimental to the interests of tho public. As time goes on it will no bo necessary to shorten tho journey-time between Auckland and Wellington, and with this end in viow the number - of stoppingplaces must be kept as low as possible. As a matter of fact, there are other districts through which the trains pass which have a less frequent and convenient service than that running'on the Manawatu lino. If an alteration in the direction of increasing the stopping-places were contemplated, the requirements of such districts should be a first, consideration. .As a general principle, however, itmust be recognised that express trains cannot bo utilised for dealing with what is purely local traffic."