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Hokitika Guardian, 10 March 1924, Page 2

Tim-: railway service to and from this district continues to he one of the first drawbacks to local progress, which vcitors notice and ipmment upon. It would appear that in this respect fate is sporting with Hokitika. It is nod too inucli fo say that in the agitation lor improved railway communication East and AYest no ot her place on t lie least was at greater pains to maintain a consistent and persistent agitation over several (Incudes to secure the linking up nt the two Coasts by rad. Having seen that task finally accomplished it was Imped the district would reap the natural advantages to accrue from the speedier and more certain means of transit afforded by railway transport. Unfortunately so far as Hokitika is concerned, the railwav service is such as to draw forth most unfavorable comment, and win ally disgusts travellers .so far as train travelling is concerned. Those making Hi - journey Coastwards have a fair inn tor their money as far as Otirti. To Rclleston the express makes practically a non-stop run. From tlienco onward ti.c train pursues it sway more leisureIv. while from Otira to Gieyniouth it devolpes something like “express” speed. Arrived at Groymontli there is a weary wait of no less than half an hour, and then the train proceeds to In.nip along to Hokitika. The ‘‘expicss” has now been converted into a ‘‘mixed" train, with invariably long rakes of trucks. The load is a fair mu for the little engine, which, to start its load, rushes the job, and the train begins with a hump. There are many hump's again as the train endeavours tn stop at the many wayside stations. Sometimes the station is overrun, and perforce the long train must shunt hack—with more humps. It is a rough journey indeed. There is frequently another weary wait at Kumara Junction to say nothing of the prolonged stops at way-side places where trucks are put oil. Hero and there where the grade permits, the little engine makes the best of things, hut the speed sections are few and far between. Gallant though the efforts are •.n keep to time-table, the train often 1 tins late, greatly to the chagrin of nil concerned—especially tho weary passengers.

Tkavem.ing by the railway one bears comment frequent and free of the weary, tiresome journey between Greymonth and Hokitika. The officials must be fully aware of the painful service imposed on this community, yet nothin.; is done to mend matters. The question arises, how long will the community itself put up with the iniquity put upon the place? It would be a fine thing if the iAfnister of Railways could do the journey incognito, and endure the trip as the every-day passeng.u' has to put up with it. Also, he would hear many home truths about the railway management in general "ere lie to do the 24 miles possible by tlio existing service in about two hours of time. The public we are sure, would feel that some of the highly paid officials controlling the internal management would fie earning their salaries were they forced as a sort of penance to do the Oreymoutli-Hokitika train trip Possibly front that experience the necessary relief to the long patient passengers would come to pass. But a.s such a happy consummation is not likely to come to pass so simply, it would Ij, well for the community to take matters in hand, and meet to discuss a situation which is most harmful to the district. From a conference on the subject, concrete requests could go forward, and perhaps a measure of relief would be introduced which would remove some of the terrors from the journey. Some of the bumps at Meast might be eliminated : the stoppages might be less diawii out; the arrival at destination might be more punctual. It is for the townspeople to make a point of this subject being fully ventilated in the bearing of the authorities as tile first step to secure a reasonable amount of improvement in the loeid train service.