A RAILWAY CONCESSION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3451, 16 February 1912, Page 4

A RAILWAY CONCESSION.

BOON FOR HASTINGS AND NAPIER l SPECIAL TO TIMES .1 NAPIER. Feb. 10. Mr J. Vigor Brown, after persisteut endeavors, has to-dav succeeded in achieving a point of 'great and equal importance to the people of Napier and Hastings. On Monday he interviewed, the Minister for Railways (Hon. J A. Millar) and urged on him the claims of these districts to be included in the extended suburban areas concession which apolies in the four larger cities and also in Invercargill. Air Millar persisted in his former refusal, urging reasons combating the claim. Air Brown, in subsequent interviews, returned to the attack, quoting census returns and figures relating to the growth, of population and' showing that Napier and Hastings were entitled to the concession. Finally this morning Air Millar acceded to the representations and agreed that Napier and Hastings should at once be brought under the operation of the extended areas system which covers a distance qf 20 miles.

This means not only reduced fares, but also concessions relating to the period for which return tickets are available, and removes a long-standing grievance concerning suburban fares. The new system will come into force on Alarch 1. The present return fares to Hastings (3s 2d. and 2s 2d) will be reduced to 2s and Is 3d, and the fares to Panidon (Is Sd and Is 2d) to Is Id and