THE WHANGAREI-HIKURANGI RAILWAY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 152, 27 June 1894, Page 8

THE WHANGAREI-HIKURANGI RAILWAY.

AN IMPORTANT EXPERIMENT.

THE STAGE SYSTEM

The new regulations under which the Whangarei - Hikurangi railway is to be worked, according to the " Northern Advocate," are an entire innovation of what has obtained heretofore iv the working of our railways, ahd on the face of them it is apparent that a very important experiment is to be made. The Whangarei section haa alwaya been worked on a system distinct from other linea, but the new regulations are of a more compreheasive character, and are intendod to provide a practical objecb lesson in railway management. The system to be introduced (says the " Advocate ") is that known as the " stago system," and approximate somewhat we presume to that advocated so persistently by Mr Vaile. Be thab as it may, red tape is largely dispensed with, and tho very absurd " classification list" which puzzles even tho officials elsewhere has no place here. Goods are to be carried ab so much por ton, over a given stage, that is : from the wharf to Kamo, one stage, and from Kamo to Hikurangi is the second staye. Parcels are to be sent by means of stamps affixed, insbead of having bo get a weigh bill, This simplifying of the system will make the railway very popular, and it will be universally used as a consequence. Passenger fares are dealt with in the same simple and liberal manner. A peraon takes out a ticket tor a stage or for two stages, can break his journey anywhere, gd on again the noxt day or whenever he pleases, and the remainder of his ticket holds good irrespective of day. In other words, these railway tickets are similar to ordinary city tram tickets. The purchaser can buy whab tickets he chooses and use them when he likes, or for the matter of that can Bell his uuused tickets or portion of a ticket (bhe tickets being subdivided for each stage). This is a very radical change, as under bhe regime in other porta of the colony, the sale of an unused uajnrey ticket ia actionable at law.

Tha "Advocate" adds: '-'We are sure bbc public will hail wibh delight these common-sense innovations sanctioned by bhe new Railway Commissioners, and should they prove a success, which we are sure they will, the colony will be the gainer, as tbe system if capable of practical application to all the lines of the colony, would be immensely popular j with the people at large. Of one bhing we are sure, and that is if it can be made a success, Mr Dobbie, tho local railway manager, will bring it off, as hiß heart and soul is in the new system, and, we believe, he has had mnch bo do with its initiation.' A number of the Municipal' bodies throughout the colony have decided to send through tbe Premier, a telegram of condolence to Madame Carnot, widow of the late President of. the French Republic. The Auckland City Council" will contribute towards tbe cost of the message. Oub of respect for the deceased President, the flags on most of the public buildings were flying halt-mast during the day. Despite a. bad weather passage, the stnd sheep per Waihora have arrived ab Sydney in excellenb condition.