NORTH ISLAND RAILWAYS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2666, 23 November 1909, Page 3

NORTH ISLAND RAILWAYS.

IMPORTANT TIMETABLE ALTERATIONS. fl’im riticss Association. I WELLINGTON, Ncv. 22. The new train services provide lor a number of alterations in the existing running, chief of. which are as follows,: Napier, depart ... 7.30 a.m. Palmerston N., dept. 1.20 p.m. Wel.ington, arrive ... 5-15 P-m. At present the.train leaves Napier at 8.45 a.m. apd arrives in Wellington at 7.15 p.m., travelling via Wairarapa. The new service will proceed via Manawatu. - . The reverse journey will be timed as follows: Thorndon, depart ... 10.50 a.m. Palmerston N., arr. 2.75 p.m. Palmerston N., deptv 3.30 p.m. Napier/ arr. . ••• 9.20 .p.m. The New. Plymouth-Wellington mail train will run to the following timetable: —New Plymouth, depart 7.10 a.m. (as at present), Palmerston North depart, 3.47 p.m. (instead of 3.40 as at -present),Wellington arrive 7.23 p.m. Dn the journey from Wellington the timetable will be: Wellington depart 9.10 a.m. (instead of 8.15), Palmerston North arrive 12.58 p.m., depart 1.10 p.m., New Plymouth arrive 9.20 p.m. A daylight express will be run on the Main Trunk line during the holiday .season, leaving Auckland each week day at 10.35 a.m. and arriving at Wellington at 7.21 a.m. the following day, th© 3 service being from Tuesday to Sunday inclusive. On the reverse journey the express leaves 'Thorndon (Sundays to Fridays' inclusive).:at 8.55 p.m., airiving at Auckland at- 4.40 p.m. EFFECT ON GISBORNE STEAMER SERVICE. The question as to liow the new railway time-table will influence the local steamer service was discussed yesterday with a “Times” reporter by local representatives of the snipping companies. “It will practically not affect the service at all,” was the verdict of Mr. Preston, manager of the Union Co. The on.v possible liitcli that might arise, lie explained, would be ill cases of the boat leaving for Napier very late at night. The train for Welling-on leaves Napier at 7.30 in the momiiig, and a late start on the part of. til boat, coupled with, the length of time it loenerally takes to bortli steamers at Najiier pier, might cause the connection to be missed. Under ordinary conditions, however, the passengeis should be able to catch the train. W-th rega.rd to the northern train, its later despatch would make no difference to passengers, as, though the boats could not leave Napier till 10, they would still arrive early in the morning. On the other hand, the steamers would be later handling -cargo, which, however would have more effect on Auckland than Gisborne. . Mr. Puflett, of Messrs Dalgety and Co., the Huddart-Parker agents, expressed similar views. Under ordinary circumstances the steamer passengers would not be inconvenienced. The train arriving in -,api?r at 9.20 p.m. would leave people ample time to catch the ten o’clock boat, and,, they weald be landed in Gisborne.at the same time as at present. Southward bound boats, however, would not have to leave a minute later than midnght, ! and if it was necessary to sail later,■ as in the occasional event of having to wait for a theatrical company, the train for Wellington would not be caught. • Generally speaking, however, Gisborne people or visitors would, scarcely notice any effect from the alterations.