NAPIER RAILWAY.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3823, 17 October 1883, Page 3

NAPIER RAILWAY.

[To TiiK Editor of the Daily Telegraph.] Sir,—Your correspondent who signs himself "Economist" must bo one of the fossils •whom Napier people have to thank for being so far behind the age. He must be one of ! the hum-drum, happy-go-lucky, never-•"■o-alicad lot, of which we have so many amongst us to our sorrow. Ho thinks that the public should not complain if the railway authorities cram us into very 111 thy sheep and cattle trucks when we have a holiday, and aro out for the express purpose of seeking pleasure and enjoyment. We have several holidays during the year besides the race-days, when we take the tram for the country. Every time we go there is the saino discomfort "to which we are exposed. Tho few carriages that tiro placed for our use are rushed and crammed to suffocation before they get to a standstill when brought into the" station. For instance, on the race day a small party of us went to tho station to go out by the 11 a.m. train; when we ai-rived at the station all the carriages were full some twenty minutes before the time of starting. Tho officials, seeing the crowd at the station, numbering more than the platforms of the carriages would hold, they attached two more carriages to the train, which as usual were crowded even to the standing up the centre of carriages and platforms; having also to provide accommodation for passengers taken up at Farndon and Tomoana ; therefore by the time we arrived at Hastings tho train was what, we may call "herring packed." But not nearly so uncomfortable as when we returned, which was by the first train leaving tho race course in the afternoon. We went down to tho platform early to stcuro a seat if possible, but when we arrived all the carnages were full, excepting one, which we -were informed was reserved, but we took possession, and before many seconds it was crowded to a most unpleasant degree— seats full—standing , room all occupiedmen sitting on each other's knees ; also a man, who had too much wot both inside and out, was sitting on a female's knee (in fact it was a box of "all sorts), and so full that it was suggested that the hat rails should be used to stretch a few on. Such is the accommodation that "Economist " would have in put up with after paying our money for first-class accommodation. We have nobody to thank for such a state of things but men like "Economist." Wo- have endured a great deal of discomfort of Lite; now it has become unbearable, and the people of Napier should unite and press for better accommodation and attention from the Railway Department, which we are entitled to. Our railway pays well; it gives a good return of interest on outlay; it stands about the second host paying lino in the colon} - , and why should we deprive ourselves of comfort, as "Economist" would have us do, by submitting to the foregoing ? If the railway belonged to a private company the management would be very different ; the public interest would be considered and attended to ; carriages would bo found to moot the demand ; a comfortable station would be provided; a Saturday night's train would bo run; tho goods traffic would be placed under better supervision ; all tho red-tapcism would be destroyed, and the management would be conducted on a business-like principle, with a view of meeting the requirements of the public, and making the most out of tho line. Although the railway belongs to the Government, the public, supply the money, and surely the public aro entitled to consideration, and should not be refused every application that is made to the Government for better accommodation to meet the requirements of increasing traffic. We aro to blame for submitting to such inconvenience so long, therefore, in the iuterests of public safety, wo should refuse to travel in cattle trucks. I for one decidedly object, simply because I am a human being, and will not be classed as a Bullock. October 17th, 1883.