TRAIN SERVICE

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 6 February 1920, Page 4

TRAIN SERVICE

IMPROVEMENTS FOE THIS LINE REQUESTED.

Mr W. 11. Field. M.P. for Otaki, is again urging on the Minister for Railways the necessity of an improved railway service for the Manawatu line, and lias addressed following letter to tlie Minister: — “Dear .Sir, Si*mc time back Mr Wright, M.P., and 1 introduced to you a deputation of suburban residents complaining of the train services between Wellington and the stations on the Manawatu line, as far as Paekakariki,’ and of the high passenger rates ruling to and from the last-named township, which, as you know, is it favourite seaside resort, and ope whose attractions would tempt numbers of city families to live there il it became a suburban terminus, and the fares were reduced accordingly. As you were told by the deputation, years ago, I think as far back its the Manawatu Railway Company's time, return I tickets to Paekakariki could be obtained for 2s .‘hi, whereas they now cost 5s Bd. It may bo that the smaller fare was for week-end tickets only, but the Railway Department would, of course, know whether this is so or not. The higher fare mentioned is, of course, prohibitive‘to ;i man with a family. As you know, Paekakariki is provided with engine sheds, and has all of the equipment requisite to render it the natural suburban terminus. Personally I am convinced that if the Department could see their way to reduce the faros and make reasonable improvements in the service, people would be induced to live in greater numbers along the pleasant resorts to be tound opt the j Manawatu line. The congestion of population in the city would be much • relieved, and the changes made would in a very short time pay the Department handsomely. “In addition to the requests made bv the deputation, there is most urgent need for an early train from Otaki, where there is an engine-shed, reaching town before 9 a.m. The return train, too, should leave later than -1.15 p.m., which is the present hour of departure. The. present early trains' run only from Paekakariki, and the long delay at Johnsonville would go a long way towards covering the time which would be occupied in the additional run between Otaki and Paekakariki. These trains, too, could surely be. accelerated. The early morning trains from Paekakariki leave at 5.50 and 7 a.m., and reach Wellington at 7.55 and .8.1-1 a.m.

respectively; that is a greater part of (wo hours is occupied on the journey, a distance of only 57 miles. You will agree that this cannot be regarded as an up-to-date suburban service for the Empire City. “I shall confidently hope that the representations made by the deputation mentioned, and also tiic question ol the early train from Olalci. may receive early and favourable consideration. The Manawatu line is deserving of tar more consideration from the Department than it has received for years past, and its development has been retarded accordingly. An examination of the time-table, so far as it relates to the server between ether cities of the Dominion and suburban ami county districts, will shew that they are far more liberally served than Wellington and the .Manawatu line.'’