page 49

By Those Who Like Us
The Night Express Service.

A pleasing feature attending the introduction of the night express service in the South Island has been the unanimous approval of the Press, and the appreciation indicated by Chambers of Commerce and other Public Bodies throughout the Dominion. The following is a selection from the letters received by the Prime Minister and Minister of Railways, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates:—

From the President (Mr. James Taylor) of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce:—

The Dunedin Chamber of Commerce received the news of the decision to run night express trains between Christchurch and Invercargill with much gratification. The timetable as published will make it possible for business trips between Dunedin and Christchurch, and Dunedin and Invercargill, with a minimum loss of time, and should stimulate travelling by rail between these centres. The Chamber desires to convey to you its hearty thanks and appreciation for this great benefit, and will do all possible to give publicity. The Chamber was also pleased to receive a visit from Mr. Rodie (Commercial Manager of Railways), who gave interesting details.

* * *

From the General Manager, N.Z. Farmers’ Co-operative Association, Ltd., Christchurch:—

Permit me to congratulate you on the new night service to and from Dunedin, which we are finding most valuable; in fact more useful than we had anticipated.

We had given up the attempt to run down to Dunedin for a few hours’ business, except on very special and urgent matters, and in these cases we found the motor-car was quicker than the train, but the new service has altered all of that, and it appears certain that it will be a great boon to the business community.

* * *

From the Secretary (Mr. H. S. Fairchild) of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce:—

At a meeting of the Council of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce held this week it was noted that it has been decided to institute a night express railway service between Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill, and I have been directed to convey to you the congratulations of the Council upon this innovation, which will greatly facilitate business and be a great convenience to the public when travelling in the South Island.

* * *

From Mr. P. A. Climie, Organiser of the Canterbury Progress League:—

In reference to the inauguration of night express trains between Christchurch and Invercargill, I am desired by my Executive to convey to you the League's hearty appreciation of your Department's action in giving the night service a trial, and to assure you of the League's whole-hearted desire to support such action in every possible way.

We are already in communication with the other provincial bodies in the South Island in order that the combined weight and strength of these organisations may be fully utilised in promoting the success of the enterprise.

* * *

In reference to the night express service, a Wellington business man writes as follows to the “Dominion”:—

Hitherto, business men had to sacrifice a whole day making the trip between the two southern centres; but now a man can arrive at Lyttelton early in the morning, do all his business in Christchurch during the day, and have a most comfortable journey to Dunedin the same night. Though the express arrives in Dunedin at 6.20 a.m., one does not need to leave his carriage until 8 a.m., the sleepers being shunted on to a convenient siding for that purpose. I would like the railway authorities to know how much the night express is appreciated by the business men of the community.