THE SECOND EXPRESS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1718, 8 April 1913, Page 4

THE SECOND EXPRESS.

ft PROTEST AGAINST STOPPAGE. The To Aivamutu Chamber of Clem* merco does not intend to loso the second Wellington-Auckland express without a. strLggle. The following lette: vas to- , ccivcd by the council of tho Wellington 1 Chamber of Com merco from that body.; jfstcrday:-- , , ■ "My Chamber notes with displeasure' tho press reports stating that tho .. Railway Department proposes to dis- . ■ continuo tin running of tlio second Main Trunk express train, and by direction I have to wrifco stating , our willingness to co-operato with you in. any endeavour to retain tlieso trains.. This service has been most beneficial, to the inland districts, and we aro.of: . opinion that its witlidtawal will bo a serious matter for tho North Island." 'Mr. Ballinger said that it was u. pity to cut out this train. Tho train was not yet known. Tho 9 o'clock train was a splendid one. Auckland had a trai:i which left at 9 o'clock in tho evening, (md why ■not Wellington. Mr. T. C. Dawson raid that" ho had been informed that tlio Department was losing . a lot of money on the' express, and though thess places say tliat tho train is a groat conv.Miicaco, ho did not thiuk that there was the slightest hope of it being continued through Clio winter. The president: I fhink that tlio Government should bo thanked for peeping it on right through (lie summer. Mr. Ballinger: 1 think it ought to lxs continued—without the sleeping accommodation. The sleeper is what causes so much expense. I went up on Easier Sunday night, and there were only four sleeping berths occupied in .a full carriage. I think that the Government should .lie urged to continue a reduced sprvica during the .winter months. 1 The president: What do yon mean by <t reduced scrvice-\a fewer number of car-i Tiages? ' ' Mr. Ballinger: Yes. ' . ; The president: I think that wo word fortunate in getting the second express all through tho summer.' Wo can hardly expect »them to oontinuo, it during tho winter. ■ Finally it was decided, on the snßges- • tion of Mr. Leigh ITiinty "That the Gov- ; 1 eminent lie asked if by reducing the number of carriages it would make it possiblo to make this train paynblo during tho winter months."