MAIN TRUNK METHODS.

NZ Truth, Issue 234, 18 December 1909, Page 6

MAIN TRUNK METHODS.

Correspondent Complains of

Sweating.

Departmental Denial.

Mr George F. Fitness, of Auckland, writes us as follows '►—Would, you kindly permit; me space m your paper to draw tne public attention to the waj' m whica the express engine drivers are being overworked on the Main Trunk express. Worked from the Auckland end,' this run is all night work. It has been the practice to work it at the most week about, but orders have recently been issued that the drivers and firemen have now to run it threo months at a stretch, which means that the - men have to snatch what sleep they can m the daytunu. Let anyone' try what this' means for three months. I venture to say that ■he will be m a sorry condition to have the lives of hundreds of the public under his charge ' when' running', aii express train aTI night at a time when nature exerts her ufcmos;t to cause a weary man to sleep. I maintain that this is not consistent with safety, and that the authorities are committing 'grave errors, m compelling a man to do without his night's sleep for three months, for it must be remembered that many men are poor sleepers m the day time,- particularly when the weather is hot. I hope that before it is too late this matter will be rectified and possible disaster prevented.

Enquiries at the Railway Department disprove the statement of our correspondent concerning the "three months stretch." It is stated that the men have been changed about. A good service is wanted, and better work is required of the men. The system now m vogue is the same as obtains m the, South Island. The express drivers are of a limited number. They are on the express two or three days a week, or a week, and are then put on to 'another service for a few days. The statement made that the express engine drivers arc to be kept on for a stretch of three months, was, so the chief clerk told a. "Truth" representative, the first he had" heard of it. He, However, promised to make further enquiries.