LYTTELTON TRAIN SERVICE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3101, 4 June 1917, Page 4

LYTTELTON TRAIN SERVICE

THE DEPUTATION FROM CANTERBURY.

By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, June 2. At a public meeting' to-day, convened by tho Mayor to consider the result of the deputation, to tho Hon. W. H. Herries (Minister of Hallways) re the curtailed Lyttelton train service, £he Mayor said that it was like drawing _ blood from a stone to get any concession at nil, and thoso gained were t>o small that they were scarcely worth mentioning. Ho was convinced that unless something inoro lvoro (lono Canterbury would suffer very materially. Instances bad been given of steamers refusing to call at Lyttelton cxcept at a very high increase of freight. They were all trying to keep down tho cost of living, but unless something wero done it was oertnin that there would bo a very considerable increase in the cost of living in Canterbury. The railway was the only connecting link they lind with tho sea, and the position in Christchurch wa.s quite different to that of the other chief cities.

The following motion was carried:— "That this meeting, representative of Canterbury interests, expresses disappointment that tho Minister of Railways (lid n6t accept the request of Canterbury through its deputation, in regard to tho running of the 9.45 p.m. train between' Lyttelton and Christchurch; seeing that the request is undoubtedly a fair one, and so much is gained for so little, tho community represented being wholehearted in their desire to assist the Government in this time of stress, they respectfully claim the right to consideration, particularly ill the policy of disturbing business as littlo as possibly; ■while thanking the Minister for his promise, again to submit the matter to Cabinet, in so far as to the extent the present regulations in regard to the special train and the hour of notice of requisition, this will not bo acceptable, in the interest of the conservation of business efficiency and justice, and this meeting again insistently urges that' the <1.45 li.iu. train from Lyttelton be reinstated."