The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1886. Excursions, Alarums

Feilding Star, Volume VIII, Issue 63, 6 November 1886, Page 2

The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1886. Excursions, Alarums

The secretary of the Feilding Sports Committee informs us that the application made by him, to the District Manager of the Wanganui section of railway t that excursion tickets be issued to passengers on Boxing Day, had not been acceded to. It was merely stated the usual concession would be made, which means, we presume, that the tickets will be '' Saturday Returns," and the trains to stop at Campden street crossing. The Committee naturally enough, feel somewhat .annoyed at this want of consideration, as they are perfectly aware that by their labors in connection with the Sports a very larg9 contribution is made annually to the revenue of the railway. We agree with them in their discontent, because it appears very strange that what is granted to one plaoe on the line should be refused to another. For instance, the Wanganui Races, to be held on the 9th instant, are encouraged by the proposed issue of excursion tickets, yet we are aware by past experience the number of pleasure seekers who come by train to Feilding on Boxing Day exceeds the number who use the same means of transit to reach Wanganui on race days. Why one place should be favored more than another when all the conditions are equal, we are at a loss to understand. We know that the issue of cheap excursion tickets from all stations to all stations on Boxing Day, or any other recognised public holiday, would pay splendidly. In fact, we are confident if the experment were tried, and the receipts oompared with those of any corresponding holiday in the past, the excess would force conviction even into the minds of the inert Mr Maxwell, to whose want of enterprise the present depressed condition of the revenue of the New Zealand Railways may, in a great measure, be safely attributed. One remedy lies in the hands of the Committee, and that is to hire trains for the day, appointing their own time for arrival and departure. The whole cost of each train would be about £30 from Wanganui to Feilding and return, and by making; the charges on the same scale as those of ,'the Government, a handsome profit would be realised — at a very small risk — which would be available for prizes aext year. Whether the Authorities would allow any person or company to avail themselves of the clause in the Regulations anent excursions trains, on a day when the whole available rolling stock on the line in the shape of engines and carriages would be required, is another matter.