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Hokitika Guardian, 11 September 1917, Page 2

Although the Hail way Department assert from time to time that it is not possible to accelerate the overland journey in such a way as to ensure the through daily service to Hokitika at a reasonable hour, and without the stop over night at Greymouth on Tuesday and Thursday nights, actual experience from time to time, shows what can he done. There was, for instance, the notable occasion when the Hon. Minister of Defence was brought across al a pace very much in advance of the regulation time. But even under normal conditions the possibilities in regard to speeding up are manifested. Last week i when the ferry boat was delayed through machinery troubles the. passengers’ did not roach Christchurch till some forty minutes after the departure of tlio Arthur’s Pass train. The bulk of the mail matter and a number of passengers were sent on by motor ear and by bolding the train at Springfield for about half an hour, the connection was made. Notwithstanding this enforced delay the passengers were landed at Otira a full hour before train time departuro for Greymouth thus evidencing what can be done. Ordinarily there is much waiting by the way, and the long drawn out wait at Otira is often irritating. Still the Department refuse to further consider the matter of revising the time table to ensure an earlier arrival in Greymouth so as to give the Hoktika and south passengers the'opportunity of reaching their destination the same night. This neglect is now to be met by a private enterprise as it understood a motor service betweeen Hokitika and Jackson’s will bo established iinmediftie’y, which will ensure the through communication desired .

TnK fact that this convenience will be provided for the summer season atall events should be Aery acceptable news to the travelling public. No doubt the enterprise wall be well supported and the connection he maintained indefinitely. With the institution of this special service an effort should he made to induce the Foetal Department to take advantage of the occasion, and get the letter and loose newspaper mail through. Tt would be possible by this means to have the mail here practically at the same hour as the train service reaches Greymonth. and actually some fifteen hours ahead of the possibility of reaching Hokitika under the present railway time-table. From a' postal point of view the new service wall he a great boon to Ross andflfiouth Wesetland, as it would enable East coast mails to go forward south by the •10 a.m. train on Wednesday which would otherwise have to stand over here till the Friday afternoon for south of Jtoss . This will he a very material service to the residents of the south, and the matter of meeting their wants in this respect should favourably he considered: The motor service- to he inaugurated between Hokitika and Jacksons should bo a great help to advertise tho scenic attractions of Westland. Tho route by road will bring travellers through some fine bush scenery and along a road especially suited for motoring. It will prove quito the most enjoyable portion of tho journey for travellers, and for that reason should soon become very popular with the travelling population.