TRAIN SERVICES.

Shannon News, 7 September 1926, Page 2

TRAIN SERVICES.

WAIRARAPA ALTERATIONS AFFEiCT WEST COAST. Representations have been made for some time by residents of the Wairarapa for a quicker railway service to Wellington. Particularly for the earlier arrival of the evening train, which now leaves W.oodville at 1.30 p.m. and reaches. Wellington at 6.53, too late for travellers to get. a meal. As a result the Railway- Department lias drawn up a tentative time-table for this train to leave Woodville at 12,10 p.m., arriving at Pahiatua about 12.30, Masterton 2 o'clock, and Wellington at 5.44. The adoption of this time-table will involve a slight disadvantage to residents on the Horowhenua and Manawatu side of the ranges; inasmuch as they will not be able to travel by the Napier express and make the connection with the Wairarapa train at Woodville. The express leaves Levin at 11.31 and reaches "-Woodville at 1.21, a connection with the Wairarapa train being possible at 1.30, reaching Masterton at 3.25. Under the new proposal passengers from this side will have to leave Levin by 'the 8.20 a.m. train and connect with the Wairarapa express at Palmerston at 11.8 a.m. Mr W. A. Marshall, business agent of the commercial branch of the Department, is at present visiting the principal centres on this coast, ascertaining their -views on the matter and last evening he met members of the Levin Chamber of Commerce at an emergency meeting presided over ! by the President, Mr T. F. Gibson. There were also present Messrs P. W. Goldsmith, F. E. Parker, A. G. Donald, W. G. Clark, H. G. Kerslake and F. P. Walkley. Mr Marshall said the Wairarapa was very Ibadly served with trains as compared with this coast and there was a demand for this earlier service to Wellington. The change would necessitate travellers ! to the Wairarapa leaving by the first train in the morning and spending a little more time en route, but they would "get to Masterton an hour and a half earlier.

After discussing the matter with Mr Marshall, who stated he was neutral in regard to it and did not wish to influence the meeting in its favour* those present agreed that, seeing the change would be of so much advantage to the Wairarapa, they had no objection to it being made, and a resolution to that effect was carried, Mr Parker brought up the matter of a stop of the Auckland express on Sunday nights at Levin, which would be a great advantage enabling women with children and elderly people to make the Main Trunk jeumey at least on one night without having to ; change anywhere. It would also give the people of the surrounding district an opportunity to join the train on Sunday night, which they could now only get by travelling by motor to Palmerston.

Mr Marshall saidi the matter was outside his jurisdiction, and in view of the rigid timetable to which the Limited was held he was doubtful if another stop would i>e possible. > The meeting .considered that on Sunday, when there was not the amount of ordinary traffic the position should be different to week nights. The President of the Chamber thanked Mr Marshall for his visit and courtesy in consulting local interests before making a change affecting this district.