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Hokitika Guardian, 9 August 1930, Page 4

The fact that ‘the railway authorities, do not contemplate any curtailment of the train (services on the Wetland section at present,'and the concession just granted in steam heating the “Express” train from Hokitika, on. route to Christchurch, indicates that the local service is not orte of the least payabe in the Dominion. However, we would like to ooint out here that the “Express” as between Hokitika and Greymoutl., is still a much delayed train, and the travelling tints has not been shortened. to bring it mpre within the meaning of the term “Express.” There have been 'hopes for some time that a little speeding up might result in the saving of a quarter of an hour or so, but the matter still remains in abeyance. It is to be hoped now that spring Inns arrived, and we will be next approaching the summer season, that the long desired improvement will be bi'dught to pass. The folk have been very patient all along. It lifts been tile impression that the request to speed up the service is-feas-ible, and if tlio authorities, but had the will, they could find the way. An overhaul of the time-table is long overdue. The consideration of the authorities in cutting out goods traffic on the “Express” service , between Greymoutl. and Hokitika, suggests a very favourable opportunity to revise the time-table, and save a considerable period on the through run. The layman would not be bold enough to suggest actual changes in the train running, but on the face of things it does not seem unreasonable with the goods traffic dispensed with, the quicker service is not possible. Some time ago a formal request to that end was made, and it was hoped that it would be acceded to. Perhaps the hone will not be long deferred now. The advantage to the Railway Department of an improved service would he manifest in the removal of the chief cause of complaint against local management. If, as it appears to be the case, the local railway patronage is such as to satisfy the Department in regard to the general returns, and that a curtailment of the' train service is not necessary from the economy point of view, the demands of the district for a faster passenger service might well merit the long deferred favourable consideration which it is now within the means of the Department to give.