RE CHRISTCHURCH EXPRESS.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 January 1924, Page 3

RE CHRISTCHURCH EXPRESS.

(To the Editor). Sir.—lt is a matter of great disappoiiitmnt as well as surprise that the .Minister of Railways lias replied he onnnot comply with the request of the Exhibitun Executive to continue the running of the Ease and West Coast exurcss during the period of the Exhibition. i '.ring the matter from an outsider’s standpoint, and knowing the Coast so well, 1 am only voicing the opinion of all business people and travellers when I state that the request is the mo.-t moderate that could have been made. There is no reason why a daily service should not he maintained until Easter. In any case it means only two extra trains each way weekly. The (iovernmeut are not asked to experiment in (he matter of giving communication between East and West because motor car t ompetitiou with the railways in this east* wottld he most difficult. We are therefore confronted with the position of resorting to a set vice that is little better than coaching condition*, of a tri-weekly set-

Surelv the Government is ill-advised by its traffic officers regarding tlie need of a daily service on this highway/ And you are aware, Mr Editor, that wlien facilities are given to travel in i-ohitcl localities, the people immediately respond, but being offered so pour a service after waiting for about a quarter of a century, during which time the population has increased, it is no wonder we wonder what has happened to lli" railways which are owned by the people. 1 am sure all the people of the Coast would make more use ot a summer daily service, if nut a daily permanent service than the restricted service now proposed, and I hope more efforts will he made for improvement.—l am etc.. EAST COASTER.