The Guardian (And Evening star,with which is in-Corporate the west coast Times.) MONDAY, AUGUST 13th. 1923 THE RAILWAY SERVICE

Hokitika Guardian, 13 August 1923, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening star,with which is inCorporate the west coast Times.) MONDAY, AUGUST 13th. 1923 THE RAILWAY SERVICE

Theuf. was not much satisfaction derived from the interview with the District Traffic Manager on Friday last respecting the new timetable which is so inadequate and inconvenient for this district. The officer listened very courteously to what had to he said, hut his reply was almost a hopeless one. Ho seemed to convey the impression that, the new time-table was to ho “temporarily permanent.". There was not any satisfaction why the Midland train should not. start from here, either as the completed train, or as the noucleus train, adding required carriages at Greymouth. Wo have no hesitation in saying that the requirements of the Railway Department for passengers to and from Hokitika to change trains at Greymouth is intolerable. It is quite an unreasonable request, seeing that a train is run through ultimately, and it would appear is an arrangement framed to add indignity to a situation which is already a reflection on the community. It would appear that Hokitika is paying the penalty, not only for its complacency in the past, but also for its good nature in readily giving away favors to the Department, which might have been with-held for bargaining purposes. When the Railway Department approached the local body for land' to increase the station yards, oven though the action involved the closing of a main highway, tho Council readily assented to the request, believing as was ini'erentially suggested at the timo that here was to be the main terminus, and the Department required the extra standing room for the extra rakes of "coaches" which would be necessary. >So far ns the present arrangements go it would appear that the new' service is so much less than the former train service, that the expenditure going on about the local station is unnecessary. Had the Council been advised in advance of the contemplated time-table, the Railway Department would not have been treated as generously ns it was. The requests at the meeting on Friday were definite and very much to the point. It remains to be seen what will result. The Borough Council has followed up the matter by an appeal to the Member for Westland to interview the Minister of Railways on the matter. We would like to see the agitation carried ■ further, and hope tho Progress League

will seek the influential support of the parent body in Christchurch to advance local interests. It was the visit of tlio League delegation to Hokitika and South Westland, which first induced the League to throw in the weight of its influence in regard to the speeding up of the completion of the tunnel. Knowing local circumstances so well we arc persuaded that at least the League will support the request for through carriages to and from Hokitika, without the occasion for further delay on the through journey by the necessity of changing trains at Greyuioutli. It will be a. reasonable request also to ask tne League to support au accelerated trip as between Greymouth and Hokitika, first, by cutting out the protracted stay at Greymouth, and second, by a faster service on mail days covering the 24 miles involved. The matter will need to be pressed strongly and frequently. It would be ft good idea, to set up a V igiViuee Commit too and keep up au incessant bombardeut til! some measure of relief is granted. The matter cannot stay where it is. It is not lair; on the contrary the situation is an insult to the community, and that fact should be impressed upon the minds of the authorities.