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Hokitika Guardian, 3 August 1923, Page 2

To-mokkow will be the ninth annive:®k of the sta.it of the Great War „o far as the participation of G'.eat Britain was concerned. At the tateful hour of midnight with no repdy to the British ultimatum, time swung the Umpire into the seething cauldron, and Britain was launched on n terrific task. i,o otic could have conceived what the immediate, future held for the world - for tiie whole earth became, involved, directly and indirectly, in the titanic conflict, booking back nov, over the duration of tho war from August 1014 to November lUIB, and from the time of the armistice till now, there is a, llood of memories crowding it. At least there is this comfort, that leading up to the war, Biitaln played a noble part in recking to patch a peace till the final fateful moment; that in the terrific struggle itself, Britain’s part was a notable one at every stage— either in fighting the. l'oe or in succouring ||.T lilies; and that since the period ef so-called } trace, Britain lias set about her | eriod ef icjuvenaiion with a wonderful spirit and a most surprising result. Britain went thiough refining fires, paving dearly for the experience and emerging with a burden ot debt and obligation, which is being discliarged in a way which must be to the admiration of all the wield. The war certainly served to place Britain on a very proud pinnacle indeed.

Tint railway time-table to he inaugurated by reason of the opening of the Midland railway, falls very far short of expectations. Previous reports as to probable arrangements for more frequent and accelerated traffic, appear to he quite unfounded. With the publication of the leaflet- of the new table it i.s seen at a. glance that the inter-island service is to he restricted -still to » tri-weekly service— Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. While at one period it was hoped to have a daily .service—that being hinted at from official quarters —and lately it was given out there was to l>o a service four days ft. wool*—it turns out that only thrice a week may passenger traffic pass east and west, or vice versa. And tho service as it i.s arranged, so far as this part of the district is concerned, is a case of “railway sweetness long drawn out.” The traveller for Hokitika departs from Christchurch at -J.~> and has the benefit, of an "express'’ service as far as Grey mouth, where he i.s timed to arrive at 4.1.5. Then the railway operation akin to the experience of a patient in a dentist’s chair, begins. For Rome unearthly reason the traffic i.s held up at Greymouth for 25 minutes, and tho traveller resumes the journey at. 4.id. The train l, “timed” to each Hokitika at 0.25! How tho passengers will hold their liroath on this journey at such reckless speed !

What actually happens is thnt the Esi-t Coast, traffic changes from an "express" to a- ‘slow" train, and travellers know how-slowly the Grevmouth-llokit-ika slow train (invariably running late) annihilates that 24 miles of distance between the two towns. Twice weekly tills train Is to pas-s on to Ross. To do so, the train is held at- Hokitika for 35 minutes, and then presuming the brakes have cooled off, and the engine is revictualled with water and fuel, tho 15 mile journey to Ross is scheduled to legin at 7 p.m. To the surprise and delight of the natives, this train is due at Ross at 7.55. Some pace that, for if it taksc 105 minutes to cover the 24 miles between Greymouth and Hokitika, that train trip to Ross should occupy 05 instead of 55 minutes. Conversely, if the Grey-

Hokitika rushed south as will that Hying Dutchman to Rcss, then instead of 103 minutes’ i:onnnco for the 24 miles, our sins of commission and omission could be atoned for in 8S minutes—which would be much relief. Just why there should be that 25 minutes pause at Greymouth, then an hour and three-quarters trip to Hokitika, then a further delay of 35 minutes at Hokitika before steaming south, passes all uueorstaudmg when time sliouid be the ossen'.o of the contract and the duty ot tie railways should be to deliver the living freight at destination in small, time.

Gnu wonders whether it is worth endeavoring to wake the Hailway Department up to a sense of its obligations in this matter. It is an old story to lelate that- the railways belong to the people, but it is another matter to expect the railways to be run for the people. What i.s clear, is that the Department is encouraging opposition, and this Will become very general. Motor traction will operate lreely between Hokitika and Otira, and ns the railway will be running only tnriee weekly, the motor car opposition will extend to Christchurch also, being availam daily. On top of that, ,c is given out now that a motor service i.s to be established between Greymouth and Hokitika, and this is likely to be in regular communication at no very distant date. But in the interests of the community and in the national interests, a strong protest should he sent by the authorities to the powers that he. The railway timetable is altogether inadequate and, as arranged, quite unsatisfactory. It falls far short- of expectations. The whole Coast should unite in an agitation, which if linked with that of the influential organisations ot Canterbury, should result in a, fair measure of bone lit, and of the railway being that value t« the communities it was intended it should be.