ROSS MAILS.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 July 1931, Page 2

ROSS MAILS.

(To the Editor) Sir, May I beg space -in your valuable paper to reply to a sub-leadei which appeared in your issue of the 22nd inst re tlie petition presented to Parliament by 160 petitioners of South AYestland. AYe are not asking that Ross be made the terminus of the South Island Main Trunk Railway—for Ross is—and always was the terminus, but unfortunately Ross people chose the line of least resistance and never stood up for their rights with tlit> result that others annexed the goods, Good luck to them, l say. Now, Sir, we are going to wake up and ask that on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturdays, at least one carriage, half first class and half second class seats, should be attached to the guards van labelled Ross, and leave Christchurch on the express trains on the above days. Return express trains to leave Ross on the same days at 7.10 in the morning, that is to say that the van and carriage leaving Christchurch on Tuesdays will leave Ross to return to Christchurch on Thursday’s train. If more than one carriage is required at Christchurch for the comfort and convenience of passengers going right through to Ross and South AA 7 estland, then the S.M. should provide same this will enable us to get direct mails both ways on the dates mentioned above.

Tourists and passengers from Christchurch who wish to break their journey at Greyinouth and Hokitika can do so, bgt those who wish to go direct to Ross the same day so as to catch the mail cars leaving Ross the next mornoing at 8 o’clock, should have the privilege of doing so. At present no charge is made for the carriage of mails between Hokitika and Ross. The contract is for the carriage of mails from Ross to Welieka. When the new tenders are called shortly, it will be from Ross to Welieka as usual as Ross is still the terminus of the railway and there are three firms who have decided to tender for the mails. We have no objection to the present contractor tendering. In fact we invite him to open a branch in Ross, but we do say that we want an improvement in the service. Over two thousand tons of goods per year are being carried over the road between Hokitika to Ross and Ross to Hokitika, also thousands of passengers. Is it any wonder the Railways don’t pay.

I notice to-night in the Grey River Argus a letter signed, “Rail Road Supporter” and on behalf of those who signed the I wish to endorse his remarks. lam etc. J. HEWER, Ross, July 24, 1931.