RAIL COMPARISONS

Hawera Star, Volume L, 10 January 1931, Page 8

RAIL COMPARISONS

SOUTH AFRICAN’S VIEWS,

IMPRESSION OF DOMINION.

A comparison between the New Zealand and the South African railway systems was made at Wellington on Thursday by Mr. W. T. Harrison, a retired South African railway official who, with his wife, is making a tour of the world (reports the “Dominion”). Th© promptness of the New Zealand trains in both arrival and departure impressed him and lie tsaid that the speed compared very favourably with that of the South African railways, the guage being the same in both countries. He found the official® here very willing to give any information that was requested'. Although the railway travel here cou/td not compare with the South African rail coaches which were much more comfortable than the New Zealand vehicles. Ho had noted the- tremendous amount of motor traffic in competition with the railways, running side by side with the trains. New Zealand road's were very much better than those of South Africa, and he had had his first trip upon a concrete road) at Auckland. South Africa had also had road and rail in competition but this had now been got over by various means. All the member® of the railway staffs there had sworn not to 'patronise the firms which did not send their goods by rail lie said. Mr. Harrison has served under six railway administrations during his 45 years of service. He has been a member of the Pretoria Hospital Board, and. being a keen bowler, has been president of the Pretoria District Bowling League, a member of the council, and' a member of the Transvaal! Bowling Executive. Mrs. Harrison takes an interest in her husband's sport., and is president of the ladies’ section of the Pretoria League. _ _ . The beauty of the Wanganui River amazed him," and he said that he did (not expect to sec anything to equal the portion between the houseboat and Pipiriki. Wairakei, which he described as being “like a great leaky steam boiler,” impressed both of the visitors, as did National Park and the Chateau. Mrs. Harrison was struck by the beauiful complexion of the women, and of the children and said jokingly that if she had any unmarried sons she would send them to New Zealand to get their wives, knowing full well that they would secure some thoroughly domesticated and very industrious brides.