RACING CLUB'S POSITION

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3131, 9 July 1917, Page 6

RACING CLUB'S POSITION

SUGGESTIONS TO THE DEPARTMENT. Members) oi the Wellington Racing Club are indignant owing to tho fact that the Railway Department refuses to make any special provision for tho extra traffic to Trentham on tho three days of racing, about to tuke place. According to the club, not only does the Department refuse to run additional trains, but it. declines to rearrange the existing time-table in order to it suit tho convenience of racegoers. Tho fields for the meeting are exceptionally good this year, and it is thought that tha town'will be crowded with visitors. Every motor-car in Wellington has been engaged, and it is argued that the Department by its action is turning away revenue which'it can ill spare, without receiving any direct benefit. Tho club only asks for the better utilisation of those trains which will be running on race days. Mr. A. E. Whyte, secretary of the club, says tho club asks for nothing which will impair the efficiency of the service, and lie considers the club is entitled to a little moro consideration than it has received so far.

The club strongly urges the following alterations:—That tho trains, leaving Wellington, for Upper Hutt at 8.30 and 9.55 a.m. should be made up to their full capacity of eighteen carriages, and thus go a long way towards relieving the congestion which is bound, to occur on tho 10 o'clock train. The , Department says that it is useless taking the people out to Trentham if it cannot arrange to bring them back. Tho club points to tho 4.47 train from the racecourse, and also suggests that tho 3 o'clock . traiu from Upper Hutt should be made up to its full capacity, aad bo delayed about au hour and a half. The dub states: that on Saturday a train leaves Wellington for Trentham Camp at 2.30 p.m., returning from the camp at 5.30 p.m. As the soldiers will be on leave at the racecourse it is not likely that tho train will bo very well patronised by visitors, and tho Department'has been asked to run it earlier in the day, returning at the usual time. This would be more likely to benefit rather than penalise visitors to the. camp. The club also states that every Wednesday and Saturday afternoon a long train leaves Wellington empty, in. order to return late; , with men from camp whr receive leave for. the evening. ■ It is asked: "Why should not this train run earlier for the benefit of the race people?'*' It is deemed likely that as tho men are given leave all day, a fewer number will want to come into tawn, and, consequently, the troop train could very, easily bring back many racegoers.