CORRESPONDENCE.

Hutt News, Volume 1, Issue 13, 23 September 1927, Page 4

CORRESPONDENCE.

THE SIX-THIRTY BUS. (To the Editor.) Sir, —The lamentations in your last issue about the six-thirty bus require a few comments. Since, by the combined efforts of the local councils, and the government, another bus service is forced upon your suffering correspondent, and other persons who like him are guilty of the crime of finding fault with the Hutt-Petone buses, I would like to state that the six-thirty. bus does not run, as its time is now six-thirty-four. The slow trip from Hutt to Petone is caused by the fact that numerous prams are collected on that route. If we fixed the time of departure from Petone at ten minutes after leaving Hutt instead of fifteen, as at present, we would be continually late at leaving the latter place. When we have no prams to collect and fasten on, we consider it is preferable to travel slowly than to go fast and have to wait a long time at Petone main stop. Perhaps the Government when they are the .owners in a few week's time will be able to hurry things up, and show their well-known ability to give real "service to the public," no doubt starting by charging for prams, and of course letting all children ride free. In regard to drivers being inconsiderate, we know of one driver only against whom complaints have been made, in this case both to the licensing authority and employer, without effect. We realise that there is no bravery or manliness in insulting women, even if any slight cause should be given by the passenger, and always encourage our drivers to be courteous and obliging. The other drivers, without exception, compare more than favourably with those employed in similar capacities by public bodies. Re the unfortunate trip in which your correspondent, during his nod-

ding moments, thought he was nearly drowned. His state of mind may have been, perhaps, induced by the speed of the vehicle; the fact that the hotels of Petone had just closed, having no bearing on the matter, being of course, only a coincidence. Upon suddenly arousing out of his reverie and ringing the bell he was astonished at being carried past the town hall to Queen's Road, at neither of which places are his stops provided. .; The poor driver, out of goodness of heart, and in direct defiance of law nnd order, perhaps took pity upon him, stopping there, instead of Waterloo Road (authorised stop), so as to give him less distance to stagger after his period of discomfort. We hope the passenger will contributo to the fine should any of the watchful custodians of our township have taken any action in the matter. —Yours, etc., HUTT COMBINED.