MAIN TRUNK EXPRESS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 49, 28 January 1932, Page 6

MAIN TRUNK EXPRESS.

Towns on the southern part of the Main Trunk line have been exercised of late because of • a contemplated alteration in the time-table of the Main Trunk express from Auckland to Wellington. At present there is very little margin between the hours of departure from Auckland of both the Limited and Main Trunk expresses, and for the Railway Board it is claimed that by advancing the hour of departure from 7.40 p.m. to 3 p.m. greater benefit would be obtained over a wide area north of Taihape. The South Auckland and King Country towns would have an improved service with Auckland, and people residing in Thames or the Bay of Plenty desiring to travel southwards would not be compelled to spend a lengthy time* at Frankton awaiting the expresses. It is also claimed that passengers for National Park would highly appreciate the proposed alteration, as 'the express would reach that station at 11.10 p.m. instead of at 3.46 a.m. under the present schedule. Against this benefit to the north is the disadvantage to southern stations if the alteration is effected. The express would reach Palmerston North shortly after 4 a.m. Its value to this city as a connecting link with Wellington therefore would be negligible. This is in striking contrast to the convenience afforded by the present timetable, under which the Main Trunk express arrives here at 9.15 a.m. The Board may argue that the Limited express, or the train .popularly known as “Field’s” express, will remedy any inconvenience caused. by the new proposal, but both leave at an early hour, and the Main Trunk express has been most suitable for people whose business takes them to Wellington. The Feilding Chamber of Commerce has invited the Chambers of other towns to combine in a protest to the Board. Support in such a matter should not be lacking. The express brings numbers of farmers to the weekly stock sale, one of the largest in the Island, . and the proposed alteration, it‘points out, will cause them to travel by road. Another complaint from Feilding is that there would be no connection by train with Wellington from 6.20 a.m. to 3.20 p.m. Representations to the Railway Board might have the desired effect of obtaining a time-table more suited to the requirements of this and adjacent districts if the matter is proceeded with.