NIGHTLY RAIL-CARS

Taranaki Daily News, 25 September 1940, Page 6

NIGHTLY RAIL-CARS

REQUEST TO MINISTER STRATFORD DEPUTATION VISIT BY MR. SULLIVAN The Minister of Railways, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, and the general manager of the Railway Department, Mr. E. Casey, will arrive at Stratford by to-night's rail-car. They will meet delegates from six Taranaki chambers of commerce at 9.30 a.m. to-morrow concerning the proposed provision of a nightly railcar service between New Plymouth and Wellington. The question of improving the Stratford railway station and yards will also be discussed with the Minister. The deputations will confer with the Minister and general manager in the Stratford Borough Council chambers. Mr. W. J. Polson, M.P., gave information to this effect to a Daily News reporter at Stratford last night. Telegraphed information of the intended visit was received yesterday by Mr. Polson. Better Service Desired. Invitations to the Waitara, Taranaki, Inglewood, Eltham and Hawera Chambers of Commerce to meet the Minister and the general manager have been issued by the secretary of the Stratford

chamber, Mr. F. E. Clarke. It is understood that the deputation will request a nightly rail-car instead of the present tri-weekly service running to Taranaki on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and to Wellington on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Two cars are employed on the NapierWairoa run, it is stated, although for most of the time one car only is actively used. It will probably be suggested to Mr. Sullivan that one of these cars be transferred to the Taranaki-Wellington run to make it a nightly service. Stratford chamber members and possibly other Stratford interests will meet the Minister and the general manager on the question of the Stratford railway station and yards. When the war broke out it was presumed that the department would not proceed with a major scheme to improve the station and yards owing to the cost and the need of money for war purposes. There was speculation, however, whether the department would go on with some modified plan. It is thought probable that a statement will be made by the Minister to-morrow.

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MR. E. CASEY,