HALLWAY TRAINS RUNNING ON SUNDAY.

Southland Times, Issue 635, 22 February 1867, Page 2

HALLWAY TRAINS RUNNING ON SUNDAY.

(to the editob op the southland times). Sib, — I observe an advertisement in your paper of the 10th inst., stating the hours at which the train will leave and arrive at Invercargill station, but whether -it is the opinion of the Government that running trains on Sunday is undesirable I am unable to say, certain it is there is no mention made about running trains on that day in the notice I allude, to. It will generally be admitted by all men who are not biassed that the running of the railway trains in the old country and in the neighboring colonies of Australia has been productive of great moral good. Where formerly men lent themselves to the debasing influence of intoxicating drinks — where scenes of dissipation were prevalent — a disgrace to civilization and to the proper observance of the Sabbath — a &ew era dawned by the running of trains on Sunday. Pormerly, when the laborer and the artizan, deprived of rational amusement, sought to shake off the laborious toils of his week's work it was too often, alas, by the aid of intoxicating stimulants. The Sunday trains running, to a great extent has remedied this. It has put within every one's reach — even to the most humble — theobtainance of pure fresh aii* and change of scenery ; it has been the means of even giving the father of a family the opportunity of bringing his wife and children to places hitherto inacessible, and innocently enjoying .themselves on the Sabbath — without in the least interfering with the observance due to his Maker on that day ; it has engendered a feeling of pleasure and contentment in the minds of those Occupied closely during the week, and it has contributed largely to diminish the desecration of the Sabbath. I trust, Sir, that you will lend your influence to induce the Government to run, say, one train to and from the Bluff every Sunday, and I am certain it will be the means of enabling many residents in town, who are now debarred from the use of the railway, to largely avail themselves of the benefits conferred by it. — I remain, sir, your obedient servant, A Mechanic. Invercargill, Peb. 17, 1867.