MANUREWA TRAIN SERVICE.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 606, 8 February 1921, Page 5

MANUREWA TRAIN SERVICE.

MR. MASSEY’S REPLY. NO IMPROVEMENT AT PRESENT. Some little time ago a deputation from the Manurewa Town Board waited upon the Minister for Railways, the Hon. W- F. Massey, at Wellington, in reference to the slow speed of the trains between Papakura, Manurewa and Auckland. At the meeting of the Board last evening a letter was received from Mr. Massey as follows: —“With reference to the representations made by the deputation which waited upon me recently regarding the train services between Auckland and Manurewa and Papakura, I have the honour to inform you that full consideration has been given to the suggestions then made, but in view of the heavy grades and singlel line working south of Penrose, it was not possible to further accelerate the speed of trains on this section of the line, though in a recent readjustmnt of the timetable the journey time of the 9.24 a.m. train from Papakura was reduced by several minutes. Certain grade easement works in the locality are now in progress and when these are completed the running time of the trains will he reviewed with the object of shortening the journey “times to and from Auckland.

“With respect to the redistribution of the present services to provide trains leaving Papakura about 12.30 p.m. and Auckland about 2.15 p.m. by eliminating the 7.18 and 9.45 p.m. trains, it is found these, could not he without strong opposition from the residents at intermediate stations, and in view of this it is regreted the additional trains asked for cannot be pprovided." . Commenting on the letter, a member stated he had not noticed any improvement'in the time of the Papakur train, which seemed as slow as ever.