RAILWAY MATTERS

Otaki Mail, 7 February 1923, Page 3

RAILWAY MATTERS

EARLY MORNING TRAIN WILL BE RETAINED. During the Ilorowkenua Show, Mr \V. 11. Field, M.l’., was approached by several gentlemen in regard to railway matters. Mr J. McLcavey was spokesman, and said the people of the district wished lo bring under Mr Field’s notice the desirability of retaining the early morning train that was recently pul on the. Manawatu line between Palmerston and Wellington. The train had proved a great convenience, and it was not desired that it should bo cut out. It was Ike opinion, in order to curtail expense, that the train could be run to Levin aud cut out the run to Palmerston, as the Auckland morning express running "through Palmerston to Wellington gave quite a good service to passengers from that centre. The,-important thing, however, was that the irain should be retained, as it was certain it would be more patronised as time went on. Another matter mentioned by Mr McLeavey was the extension of the Sunday service from Wellington to Levin. It was the wish that Mr Field should bring tliese matters under Ike notice of the Minister of Railways.

Mr Field said he quite understood •the feeling of the people of Levin in regard to tho early train. He had been struggling to get that train for years, and when it was granted at last it was unfortunate that it 'should be just on the eve of the election, although it was very satisfactory to get tho train after waiting so long. “It is a useful train,” said Mr Field, “and I can promise that the train will continue.” (Hear, hoar'). As for making Levin the terminus, he believed the train was used by numbers of people who came in by ear from away- north of Palmerston and went on to Wellington by this train. As regards extending the Sunday service to Levin, a move was being made now to get an extension terminus, and until they got that they could hardly advocate the Levin extension. However, he would be pleased to give both matters his best attention, “but as far as the additional morning train is concerned,” concluded Mr Field, “that will be continued.”’