Marton Coach Service.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8756, 5 March 1907, Page 2

Marton Coach Service.

. Sir, —Some people think the coach fares to the railway station too dear. It used to ho Gd to the old station, and it is a shilling to the, new. 1. But thou it is double the distance from the stables to the new station to what, it is to the old, and a double distance naturally implies a higher fare. The carters have doubled their price of carriage in the same way. Perhaps all people do not realise that all Mar ton, that is, nearly the whole of it north of the railway crossing on Wellington road, is considerably -nearer to the old station than to the now—most of it very much nearer indeed. 3. There is no such cheap service that brings one, and ones friends, to and fro from one’s own door in Wanganui, Palmerston, or Wellington. For the same, distance you would he fortunate if you only paid double. Then after 6 p.m. there is a further charge still. In Wellington a cab costs yon 5s for not so long a distance. Thou the coaches hero give yon a return faro, lasting a fortnight. Gabs, of course give no return fares. 3. The new railway scheme that is suggested, with a station on the Wellington road at some point near Broadway, would not obviate the need of a service to one’s own door. The sendee to one’s own door is needed for the sake of luggage one can’t carry, ox the state of the weather, or for persons in declining years, or young children, and these considerations would apply to most persons in Martou should the proposed service run. Otherwise, people walk to the Pukopapa station if they are not going to the mail train, and those who bike, bike to all trains, weather and the state of the roads permitting. 4. Should the proposed new service run the coaches would probably charge (id to take one to the new station on the Wellington road, and the balance of the railway faro to the Martou station on the now lino. Or the coaches will cease running, and wo shall have to take to cabs, at ordinary cab fares, which would he at least double the present fare. Or the stables might run a big motor, which would sweep up all the traffic.' i

“ Anyhow, as the proposed now service can not, of'bourse, call at one’s door, and therefore cannot fulfil the principal use of a moans of conveyance to the railway station,- it is questionable whether for the sake of .cheaper conveyance of the comparatively few of the Marten people, either as regards their persons or their goods, it would bo well to borrow £(5000 and increase the rates, which are already sufficiently high. Of course, there may be other reasons which might justify such an expenditure.—lam, etc., ARTHUR TOWGOOD.