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Hokitika Guardian, 13 August 1927, Page 2

Thuuk is general agreement with both the press and the public bodies of the district that the suggested variations of the railway time-table over the Westland section, is largely of a retrograde nature. There is evidently no intention of accelerating, railway tliiliir. but rather to so readjust that tin- iiltimniv ellcct will be to delay arrieal. In the ease of the midland service between Christchurch and Hokitika. this i- a serial.- mistake. What the public hereabouts and those who travel liv the service desire, i- u shortening rather than a lengthening of the time on the journey. To add another quarter of an hour to the journey to Hokitika, as is proposed, is adding insult to injury. The time if the trip is now protracted enough, and delaying the airival at destination to (i.2) will lie most inconvenient all round. It will be very difficult for the hostellies which have to eater for travellers, meeting the full requirements of the latter at the later hour, because the labour restrictions limit the services of the staff, ttnd the public must suffer

inconv'cn iem e in eon.seq lienee. If there is to be any change at all. let. us hope it will be for the better, and that a quarter of an hour or more will he .saved on the journey which will lie much in preference to a quarter of an hour's further delay. The I’rogiess League at Rcefton has also voiced a

worthy request, namely, to give a tlie-rough evening connection between Reel ten and Hokitika. This is a convenience long desired, and if there is to he any readjustment in a general

sen it is improvements which should he aimed at rather than retrograde action in adding to the time of the journey without any corrcs]Kindiiig advantages. Incidentally it might be recorded .that thti railway time-table on the whole, as at present in force, lias given more satisfaction than is usually the case. It is admitted there are shortcomings, but a bettor service obtains than previously and the public were proportionately grateful. To change from that requires something material to justify the action, and rather than go hack in the way suggested, it would he better to leave well alone, and allow the existing timetable to stand till such time a.s the Department can afford something better and speedier in the way of local connect ions.