RAIL-CAR SERVICE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 September 1941, Page 4

RAIL-CAR SERVICE

RESERVATIONS FOR SOLDIERS ON LEAVE LETTER FROM MINISTER TO DISTRICT MEMBER. NEW ARRANGEMENT MADE. The following letter on the subject of rail-car transport for soldiers on leave has been received by the member for Masterton (Mr J. Robertson) from the Minister of Defence (Mr F. Jones): — “With reference to your personal representations in regard to soldiers when returning to Trentham Camp on Sundays after week-end leave in the Wairarapa district being left behind because of no transport being available for them, I have had the position investigated, and the following is an extract i from a report received from the Officer Commanding the District in regard to the matter: “ ‘Troops may, if they desire, apply in advance for week-end leave to enable them to reserve on the Wairarapa railcar. Apart from special applications, the allocation of week-end leave is usually determined and made known to personnel by Friday evening each week. “ ‘Personnel proceeding to the Wairarapa usually take the up rail-car on Saturday, and the down rail-car on Sunday. In practice it is usually found advisable to book reservations not later than Wednesday, as the cars are frequently booked out by Thursday. “ ‘lt is accordingly proposed to make provision for leave applications from Trentham Mobilisation Camp personnel wishing to travel to and from the Wairarapa by rail-car to be dealt with by noon on Wednesday of each week, and for reservations to be effected under suitable unit arrangements.’ “In view of the action contemplated by the District Headquarters concerned, it is not anticipated that any further instances of a similar nature will occur in the future.”