STORM DELAYS

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 14, 16 July 1936, Page 8

STORM DELAYS

Reference is made by a correspondent (K. F. James) to "the inconvenience caused to workers by the slowness, stoppages, and late arrivals of trains when southerly gales are raging. This is more particularly in connection with the Lambton-suburbs trains. Not only does this lateness cause long stands on cold platforms, but necessitates many employees being late for their various occupations, which in itself in very annoying. Also, jwhen once the train arrives the waiting crowd has generally grown, and attempts to clamber in the one train are made, and as a rule insufficient accommodation is provided." The correspondent gives particulars of a personal experience, and adds "These occurrences have been happening for many years, and if the money spent on temporary repairs had been put into a scheme for building a high sea-wall, there would have been no need for this letter to have been written."

In reply to the above letter the Railway Department states that delays through southerly gales damaging the sea-wall between Wellington and Petone are very rare indeed, but when they have happened, conditions have been such that all other means of transport have also been interfered with—usually to a much greater extent. Considerable expenditure is at present being incurred, however, to improve the protection of railway tracks on the route. On the occasion referred to, the delays were cut to a minimum compatible with the safe conveyance of passengers, as the Department is fully alive to the importance of having' its suburban services (run to time in the interests of both [employers and employees. Proof of this punctuality is found in' the records of train services, which show an average late arrival of suburban trains throughout the Dominion of only 0 (35 minute in the last twelve months. This figure includes delays arising from all causes including slips, floods, wash-outs engine and other mechanical failure and traffic delays at stations. If the correspondent would advise the Department of the actual train upon which the incident of which he complains occurred, the matter will be fully inquired into, but an inquiry regarding a matter of this kind cannot be carried out unless details .are. given. The staff generally is found to give every satisfactory attention and assistance to the public, and there are many indications from the public of their appreciationof the courtesy shown by guards and others.