NIGHT EXPRESSES

Hokitika Guardian, 31 May 1928, Page 1

NIGHT EXPRESSES

TO ItE ItESTOItED. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Alay 30. The Al inks ter of Railways, Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, announced to-night that on June 10th., the running of night expreses would be commenced in the South Island on the Cliristchurch-Duiiedin-liivercargill run. This decision follows representations made hy Messrs Adam Hamilton (Invercargill), Downie Stewart (Dunedin), 11. Holland (Christchurch), and other South Island members of Parliament. Mr Coates said ho had consulted with Afr H. H. Sterling, the newly-appointed General Alanager of Railways, regarding the South Island time-table, and the problem was to devise, a time-table that would make the service more responsive to public requirements, while guarding, ns far as possible, against placing any undue burden upon the railway finances. Commencing on 10th. Juno a night express will commence running approximately as follows: Southbound: Leave Christchurch for Invercargill at 10.30 p.m. oil Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Northbound : Leave Invercargill for Christchurch at 6.40 p.m. on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. The through journey in each direction will occupy approximately 12j hours. This is not so quick a through connection ns the day express, because more stops are provided on the night run. to suit public convenience. The position now is that day expresses run on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from Christchurch' and from Invercargill; tho remaining days being provided by niglit services. The Ghristelnirch-Invercargill through day express oil Mondays is replaced by a Sunday night express, but a Clirist-chiireh-Dunedin passenger service is being provided on Alondays, to leave Christchurch at 8.50 a.m and arrive | at Dunedin at 5.23 p.m. Tins replaces the 12.25 p.m. mail train on Aloud ays. but it will make more stops. A Sunday night express from Invercargill to Christchurch, will replace the Alonday day express. North Island passengers arriving at Lyttelton hy the ferry on Sunday will bo enabled to leave Christchurch for the south on Sunday night, instead of waiting until Alonday, as at ,present. Two sleeping carriages will he provided on each of the night trains. Under present conditions a business trip from Christchurch to Dunedin involves at least three whole business days. Utilising night trains -will make a complete trip possible with the loss of only one business day. The system will save two days in mailing from Wellington to Invercargill, and a day from Christchurch to Dunedin. Niglit expresses can he used for parcels and perishables.