THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1909. THE NEW RAILWAY TIMETABLE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9652, 17 November 1909, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1909. THE NEW RAILWAY TIMETABLE.

Keference has already been made in these columns to the prompt action taken by the Masterton 'Chamber of Commerce in regard to the proposed alterations in the Wairaraparailway time-table. It will be remembered that the Chamber succeeded in extracting from the Minister for Railways a promise that the alterations would be submitted to them before being enforced. The idea was to submit the draft time- < table to a conference to •be held in Masterton, consisting of representatives of the various Chambers of Commerce in the district, and also the local bodies. It was thought «that by this means the matter could be discussed thoroughly from every point of view. Through the representations of the members for Masterton and the Wairarapa, the desired information has been obtained from the Minister, and is now mtthe possession of the Chamber of Commerce. Particulars of the proposed alterations, which are fully set out• elsewhere, will be perused with interest by every resident in the dis> trict. It will be seen at a g!anoethat the changes proposed are very draa tic. "It may be said at the outlet that the alterations are a decided improvement on those previously announced, and it is apparent that an effort has been .made to overcome some of the difficulties that would assuredly have occurred had the original scheme been adhered to. For instance the afternoon mail train is now timed to arrive in Wellington at twenty minutes to eight, which will allow ample time for the Wairarapa mails to connect with the I Houthern boats, and will also be ' more convenient for citizens visiting the Empire city. In the matter of a one day trip to Wellington the effect of the present alterations will be to give Wairarapa residents an hour's less time to transact busi- ; ness in Wellington, but they leave have half an hour later, and will return half an hour earlier to their [ homes than at present. It is apparently the Department's intention to abolish the early morning train from Wellington. The early train north from Masterton ia to be replaced by one starting from Cross Creek at twenty-five minutes past five. It is hard to guage what time this tram will arrive in Masterton, but it is evident that it will here shortly before? th* departure of th« tmir to Wellington, whicn i ia stt down *t

half past seven. In lubing the early morning train from Wellington the chief inconvenience will be the ! delay of the mails, nut it is understood that the Minister is b?ing approached a3 to the expediency of running a road motor with mails and parcels to connect with the Cross Cre<fk train. The most conveniet.t train under the new system appears to he that from Wondville to Willington, which is timed to arrive in Wellington at twei ty-eight minutes past five in the afternoon This train as far as can be calculated will reach Masterton at noon, and shculJ cross here with the first train from Wellington. The proposed service north of Masterton will undoubtedly cause dissatisfaction. It is difficult to believe that arrangements are to be made for only two up trains a day to be Masterton, but such is the onJy conclusion thbt can be drawn from the timetable submitted. The only trains set down for north of Masterton aro 4.45 a.m. train from Gross' Crcfk, and the midday train from Wellington. This means that there will not be a single train rui from midday till the following morning. The disadvantages this will inflict on Bush settlers desiring to visit Masterton to transact their business and return home in the evening does not need emphasis. To overcome this wholesale elimination of north trains the conference might well urge upon the Minister for Railways the necessity for allowing the evening train from Wellington (which is due in Masterton at eight o'clock) to continue on to Woodville. This arrangement would prevent Bush settlers from being put to the inconvenience of taking two days to transact business where one day would suffice. The early morning train could thus start for Wellington from Woodville at an eariy hour instead of from Masterton as proposed. Whilst on the question of railways, the conference might also pay some attention to the mail closing hours, which are not on a very satisfactory basis just now—in Masterton at any rate. The Masterton Chamber of Comrrerce is to meei on Friday, when the question of holding the conference will be fully considered. It is understood that the altered service is to start from the beginning of next month, so that speedy action on the part of those interested is necessary if they wish to make further representations to the Minister for Railways.