Feilding Star. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1885. Market Railway Fares

Feilding Star, Volume VII, Issue 57, 22 October 1885, Page 2

Feilding Star. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1885. Market Railway Fares

We accepted the concession made by the railway authorities — when the pressure from without compelled them to make it — with gratitude, and now we would ask them to go a step further, for the following reasons. Without regard to distance, market tickets to Wanganui are available for the day of issue only. Persons resident in Palmerston or Feilding who are desirous of availing themselves of the privilege, can only do so by taking the 6.40 train from Palmerston which arrives in Wanganui at 11.15 a.m. and by returning by the afternoon train which leaves at 4.15. The time thus given is far too limited for visitors from a distance to do business, and to partake of the necessary refreshment in the way of food. The tickets ought to be issued from all stations on the day before, as well as the market day, and should be available for return on the market day, and by the first train leaving on the following morning. By these means the convenience of settlers and purchasers at the market would be so far met, that their number would be greatly increased, at no extra expense. We can forsee one objection which could be raised, viz., that persons who would otherwise travel at the higher rates would take advantage of the market rates. No doubt they would ; but this objection can be met by the fact of no persons in their senses being likely to travel on the Wanganui section of the New Zealand railways for the mere pleasure of the thing. People who buy tickets to go to a market town may be safely credited with business views, to be carried out when they arrive at their journey'B end. We are certain there are few persons who now travel from the Palmerston or Feilding districts, that would not infinitely prefer being able to spend a comfortable night in Wanganui, by travelling thither in the afternoon train before market day, than being bustled away in the early morning to pass a wearisome day without a leisure moment to spare. We hope our Wanganui contemporaries will support our vie Mrs, for by so doing they will not only be promoting the convenience of farmers but encouraging those friendly feelings which add so much to the joint welfare of town and country.