FOXTON’S TRAIN SERVICE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1738, 9 October 1917, Page 3

FOXTON’S TRAIN SERVICE.

MAIN TRUNK CONNECTION WANTED.

GENERAL MANAGER’S REPLY,

At a recent meeting of the Borough Council a resolution was passed asking the General Manager of Railways to amend the Foxton service so that passengers from Foxton by the afternoon train would be able to connect with the Main Trunk express at Palmerston North on at, least two days in each week. At last night’s meeting the following reply was received from the General Manager:—“With reference to your letter in regard to the question of the afternoon train from Foxton connecting with the Main Trunk express at Palmerston North, I have the honour to inform you that when framing the existing timetable it was found impossible to work the Foxton-service into Palmerston North unless by making a much earlier start than formerly, owing to the altered running of the Auckland express, and the train was therefore put back to 2.25 p.m,, and made daily. It was considered that this was better than to destroy the usefulness of the train to the majority of those using it in order to convenience the small minority going beyond Marlon. lam also advised that there would be a strong objection to starting the afternoon train from Foxton at 1.20 p.m. on Mondays on account of the Himatangi stock sales, which usually finish about 2.30 p.m. There docs not appear to be any pressing need for an alteration at present, but the traffic will be watched, and if it is found that an alteration would ITe advantageous to the majority of the users of the train the matter will be further considered when the timetable is again under revision.” Cr McMurray said that at present the Foxton train only misses Die, Main Trunk express by a few minutes. He did not think the small alteration in the starting time 'from Foxton on two days in the week to connect up would make much diiference. lie moved that the Council communicate with Mr W. 11. Field, M.P., and the Minister of Railways, asking them to use their influence in obtaining a belter time-table for the Foxton-Palmerston North train service, so as to provide at least two connections weekly with the north bound Main Trunk express, one connection to be on Fridays, This was seconded by Cr Hurley. Cr Coley thought the Council was interfering too much with the train service. The Mi iyor said the matter had been mentioned to Mr Field, M.P., when he was in Foxton recently, and he. asked that a resolution be passed by the tlouncil and forwarded on to him. The motion was carried.