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Hokitika Guardian, 22 October 1929, Page 4

The Parliamentary records indicate that the Member for Westland took the opportlniy of discussing railway matters on the Coast, wli.le the annual Statement was under review in the House. Mr O’Brien paid special attention to the working conditions in the north, and also gave some attention to the conveniences of the passengers en route. It would have been opportune on sm'i .an oecas on to refer to the need of an improved passenger train servicv between Greymouth and Hokitika, particularly on “express’’ days. This is a long standing grievance with travellers, and it is remarkable that the railway authorities do not exert themselves sufficrtntly to attempt some improvement, if only for a period of trial. Now that we are on the eve of the summer traffic it would be a timely occasion to tryout an amended service for Hokitika in connection with the through mail trains. The dislocation of the daily mail service by' the altered goods-

trains running, is also a. grievance at this end, and is in need of some review. At the same time, it has to be .remarked that for a goods service the new connections lias its advantages and if it he possible to dovetail a mail service which would restore the convenience formerly enjoyed daily, the public would he gratified The time appears opportune also to ask for a through on Mondays for the summer season This is granted to a limited, extent at holiday times, but it would he a convenience with the growing traffic, to add an extra day for the through services to Hokitika. The public at this end has been doing its share in advertising Cue district, and the publicity should result- in an increased flow of traffic. The better the railways cater for through traffic, the more the public will he encouraged to travel, and it is not inopportune at this juncture to seek for greater fa ilities for through traffic. It would be appreciated if the Member for Westland, before the close of the session, took up the points referred to with the Minister of Railways. Mr O’Brien has shown anxiety to cover as much ground as possible in his personal representations, and the three subje ts referred to above would be of special value to this end of the electorate if the desired concessions were agreed to by the Railway authoniieu.