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Hokitika Guardian, 24 November 1925, Page 2

So.mk criticism is being passed adversely on the new time-table in the north. As far as local feeling is concerned. the new I inie-taide with the speeded up trains, and more reasonable hours of starting, k quite appreciated. Ross loll;, for instance, find the hour nt starting far more convenient than here-to-fore. and the facilities for connections are more appreciated. The change "ill he more popular still fn the winter months, and shorter days, for under the former schedule it was a matter of rising in the middle of the night to make a simple journey to Hokitika. Under the alteration, the starting time is more reasonable, and the facilities for business in Hokitika are quite satisfactory. The improvement in the Hokitika-Greynuiuth service is also very much to the public taste here. The hour of departure is more reasonable in every way. and the improved running of the train, small as it is, is some relief. On the through service to Christchurch, the time saved in tlio stop over at Greymouth is also appro: in tod by passengers. and the period of the journey is curtailed accordingly. Altogether, a very milch appreciated step has been taken in the effort to improve the local railway service. Other improvements may now he looked for, and it is time the turn-table at Hokitika was laid so that the larger engines can be brought here to ensure more accurate running with tlio heavily laden trains. This has boon promised for some time, and it is well to have the promise brought to the notice of the railway authorities. We notice, also, that it- is customary to refer to the Midland railway service in advertisements and elsewhere as the “Christ-church-Grcyinouth” train. This is not very enlightening to the general travelling public. In addition to Greymouth. the Midland train serves also Roofton. Hokitika and Ross, hv direct connection, and it would be clearer if tlie service was made all embracing by calling it tlie Christchurch-West Const train. That would include Westport also, which is being served in some degree already by the Midland train, and in a few years will have direct connection. The suggestion now put forward would make the destination of the service general and not confined to one centre, and the information would be of more value to the travelling public. The change is well worth carrying out.