PRIVILEGE RAILWAY TICKETS

Hokitika Guardian, 23 April 1920, Page 3

PRIVILEGE RAILWAY TICKETS

THE PERIOD EXTENDED

It will be remembered that for reasons over which the Pefepce Department had no control, the issue of privilege rail tickets to returned soldiers was greatly curtailed some months ago and as a consequence it was decided to extend the period of availability to the Ist of June next, the Railway Department stipulating that the issue should not exceed 5,000 per month. The position on the 31st March last was that approximately 17,000 tickets had still to he issued despite the fact that the actual tickets disposed of averaged in the neighbourhood of 3,000 per month. It may safely he assumed that the fajjure to make full use of the privilege during the holiday months was due to soldiers having resumed their civil occupations and tlie difficulty they would have in obtaining leave from their employers so soon after the resumption of employment. The Defence Department announces that by special arrangement with the Railway Department privilege rail tickets are now to be extended to the 30th of November next, which is the final date. This moans that all orders must be exchanged for railway tickets not,later than the 2nd of November next. Owing to the heavy call that will be made upon bhe railways during the visit of the Prince, returned soldiers eligible for the issue of privilege rail tickets arc requested to delay exchanging their orders \intil the departure of the Prince from N ew Zealand.