OUR RAILWAY SERVICE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 11, 4 January 1907, Page 3

OUR RAILWAY SERVICE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—l wish to draw attention to the manner in which travellers on the railway in the King Country are treated by the department. The journey from Auckland is a long and trying one, and as far as Frankton, or even Te Awamutu, the conditions are as comfortable as .possible. Directly the King Country boundary is reached, however, quite a different state of affairs prevails. A passenger travelling first class has to accept what is practically worse than_ ordinary second class accommodation on other lines, and the second class passengers are huddled together to get through the journey as best they can.

Smoking carriages are conspicuous by their Absence, though a second class smoker is usually provided. On Monday last, when the train left Te Awamutu fcr Taumarunui, the placards on the smoking carriages were removed and passengers were informed by the guard that smoking would not be allowed. This is surely carrying matters too far, and as a King Country settler I must enter my protest against such an unwarranted infringement of public rights. I have been a consistent supporter of the present Government since it took office, but if it continues to countenance such-action by one of its departments I must withdraw my allegiance and bestow it on a party more worthy .and one which will give the King Country its due in this and in other matters. — I am, etc., D. C. MCDONALD. Aria, 2/10/7.