RAILWAY TIME-TABLE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 181, 3 August 1903, Page 2

RAILWAY TIME-TABLE.

It wi ; l be renvmbvred tint we reported icme time ago that a new rsilway time-tible w*ss under consideration and would come into operation in No vember. Up to the present no move appears to have been mule in New Plymouth to ascertain whether the interests of the perp'e at tbis end of the district will be prejudicially affected or no\ On the other hand, down the line the greatest activity is being displayed to secure alterations in the time-table to suit the convenience of •he prople there, apparently quite regardless of the pe 'pie here. It appears to us that the Chamber of Commerce should lose no time in ascertaining what is being done and take stsns to protect local interests. The Patea people are moving in the matter of securing a train service that will enable them to reach New Plymouth ind other stations north of Hawera and return the same day. This has always been supported at this end and uan be obtained in a very simple and inexpensive manner, viz., by starting the train now hiving Hawera at 7 30 from Patea at 6.30 and running it hick to Patea at night arriving there at 9 pm., instead of only as far as Hawera where it arrives at 8 pm. at present. The morning train from Hawera to Wangmui to continue as at' present. The | Pat?a people have now, however, abandoned this idea and are now asking that a time-table suggested by a Mr Qib3oD, providing that the train now leaving Waoganui at 8 a.m. should leave at 6.45 a.m. and arrive in New Plymtuth at 12.45 a.m., returning at 3 p.m. and arriving in Wangacui at 9 p.m. It was poinded out at a hrgely '.ttended puHlic meeting held in Patea last week that New Plymouth objected •■o the morning train arriving later han 11 a.m. on account of the meetings of local bodies. In spite of this a resolution in favour of the proposed time-table was adopted and the locil bodies are to be invited to appoint delegates to attend a meeting to urge its adoption. The Hawera Star aho supports this service, but to\ siys the Star, if it would interfere with the present local Wanganui Hawera service and the .New Plymouth-Hawera service. That is the whole point of the thicg, and wo jus"! want to know whether Mr Gibson's idea and th<\t of the Patea meeting agree. We have our doubts, because the meeting at Patea, judging by the sketch-table Mr Gib ; on sends, has in view not an additional train but a substitute." Wr think we have said enough to show the need of watchfulness, or we may, as on a former occesion, wake up some morning to find our t'ain and business arrangements all disorganised by a new and unsuitable time-table