BY RAIL TO RUSSELL

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 121, 12 August 1927, Page 13

BY RAIL TO RUSSELL

IMPROVEMENT WANTED REQUESTS TO DEPARTMENT (From Our Own Correspondent.) RUSSELL, To-day. Mr. A. W. Wellsted, commercial agent of the Railway Department, has been in Russell looking into the question of Sunday trains and better transport facilities for Russell in view of the anticipated increased traffic this coming season. The trains which were run on Sundays as an experiment last summer proved to be very popular and to have met a long-felt want. Mr. Wellsted stated that it was the intention of the department to start them earlier his year, probably about the beginning of December, and to run more of them. It was suggested that trains from Whangarei and Okaihau every fortnight, during the summer, would receive a good measure of support. Mr. Welsted stated that where there was a demand for Sunday trains, as he understood was the case in the present instance, the department was prepared to meet the wishes of the public. Those who are interested with the progress of Russell have promised to do all in their power to co-operate with the department. Launch trips will be arranged in the harbour at reasonable rates, and everything possible will be done with a view to giving the visitors a good time. The necessity of having a daily express service from Auckland during the coming season was stressed by the chairman and members of the Town Board, and leading citizens, and Mr. Welsted promised that he would place the matter before his department at the earliest possible moment. The fact that on three days a week, when the express train was not running, visitors complained not only of the slowness of the train but also of the lateness of the arrival, was pointed out. and Mr. Welsted explained that if the traffic warranted the daily running of express trains these difficulties, to a large extent, would be overcome. . In reply to a further suggestion Mr. Welsted stated that the department had under consideration the issue of week-end tickets, and if inquiry showed there was a demand they would be issued.