RAILWAYS’ PROGRESS

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 May 1936, Page 5

RAILWAYS’ PROGRESS

GENERAL MANAGER’S MESSAGE

“Some unwarranted criticism has recently appeared in certain papers regarding the speed and cleanliness of trains on the New Zealand Railways, and the facilities provided for the comfort and convenience of passengers.” (states Mr. G. H. Mackley. General Manager). “This criticism has evidently been made without adequate knowledge. Indeed, I am reliably informed that a visitor whose statement to the Press within the last fortnight was given much prominence, and who (unfortunately) left New Zealand the day his statement appeared, made only one journey on a New Zealand that by a “mixed service” - whim conveyed him and his car from Springfield to Otira (50 miles) —thereby enabling him to avoid the trip by road over Arthur’s Pass. Some further information on the matter should therefore be of public interest.

“The subject of train speeds is, of course, one which no general statement can cover, if it is desired to make a comparison of any value between the achievements of one country and another. There are too many factors of dissimilarity. The facts stand out. however, that when the youth of this country is considered, when the comparative smallness of its total population (about equal to that of one of the larger Australian cities) is taken into account, and when due allowance is made for the quite extraordinary engineering difficulties (due to the physical features of the country) which had to be surmounted in laying some of the lines, the record of achievement of the New Zealand Railways is one in which every New Zealander has just cause for pride. We have the evidence of our own people who have travelled overseas, and of a host of visitors who have actually used our services, and particularly of those with knowledge who are in a position to make comparisons, that in the matter of speed, cleanliness and convenience the Railways here hold their own with those of other countries of similar standing. «This must be said in justice to those who have made our Railways wiiat they are, and those who work them now. “Needless to say, further improvements are being made as circumstances warrant, and any well-informed criticism is welcomerl by the Department; but the people of New Zealand,! who are showing their appreciation of the Railways by steadily increasing patronage, have every reason for confidence in the capacity of their own transportation system to meet adequately the tran.spoi l, needs both of themselves and of any visitors from overseas who are prepared to use them. In this, the largest industrial enterprise in the Dominion, it is inevitable that occasions will arise when legitimate cause for complaint may occur, or where suggestions for improvement can be profitably made. I would, therefore appreciate it very much if members of the public would come to the Department’s assistance on such occasions, and 1 can assure them that such assistance will be accepted in the helpful spirit with which it is tendered.”

TRUCKS DERAILED. WANGANUI, April 30. Trucks on an inward bound mixed train from Palmerston North to Wanganui were derailed about 8 p.m. tonight, one mile south of Tufakina, and, although a passenger car and the engine were not affected. the trucks were extensively damaged. The passengers were brought to Wanganui by bus. A repair gang is at work, and the line will be clear by the morning. RAILWAYS MAGAZINE. Again it is ‘‘New Zealand Authors’ Month,” in the April issue of the “Railways Magazine,” which continues to encourage the Dominion’s writers. O. N. Gillespie gives a very bright illustrated review of New Zealanders in literature. An excellent biography of Sir Joseph Ward is given by James Cowan. “Like Ballance and Seddon” he comments. ‘Sir Joseph was a victim of overwork. He remained in office too long, with that fatal clinging to administrative power which has shortened many a great man’s life.” “The Little Island of the Jade Fiords (Marlborough Sounds) has worthy treatment of Robin Hyde, who is as brilliant in prose as in verse. She has a delightful touch in her descriptive work. “Could we all but recover the soul of Saturday the world might wag instead of wobble” is the opening of a merry article of Ken. Alexander whbse drawings enrich his humour. Charles Wheeler, the doyen of the Parliamentary Press Gallery, cleverly tells the story of New Zealand’s first Parliamentary broadcast. R. M. Jenken’s continues his “Limited Night Entertainments” with another dramatic story which grips the reader from start to finish. Sheila Russell, who must have won the liearts of many folk in her previous articles, offers more droll adventures of “The People of Pudding Hill.” “Urewera Gold” by Hori Makaire, is a thrilling piece of old New Zealand history. The “New Zealand Verse” page has two remarkably good poems, real literature—“ Blinded” by Phyllis Ypung and “The Ache of Beauty" by E.W. The chats on books and authors, “Wisdom of the Maori” and "Pictures of New Zealand Life” and the London Letter are well up to standard. There is a liberal spread of well-chosen pictures —about sixty.