THE GOVERNOR'S CARRIAGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14148, 25 August 1909, Page 8

THE GOVERNOR'S CARRIAGE.

Reports have been published with the object of giving the impression that the railway carriage recently built at Petone for the Governor's use had originally cost £2500, while a good deal extra had also to be expended upon it in consequence of elaborate alterations. This turns out to be a greatly exaggerated statement; in fact, the Minister for Railways (Hon. J. A. Millar), when questioned in Christ-church as to the accuracy of the report, replied that it was entirely out in till respects.

The facte of the matter, explained the Minister, were that the Governor's car, built some years ago, was not suitable for the North Island Main Trunk line, as it had no sleeping accommodation. A, new carriage had to be built, with this accommodation provided. This new car would cost only £160 more than a firstclass passenger car. Speaking without the figures, he believed that a first-class car of the increased size for the North Island Trunk line entailed an oxpenditur of £1600. The Governor's carriage formerly in use was to be transformed into an ordinary passenger car and used between Wellington and Auckland. The same thing applied to the new Ministerial car, which had been so much talked about. It would cost only £100 more than an ordinary passenger car*. So far as upholstering was concerned, there was none in the car. It was simply built of New Zealand woods, and the seats in the dining-car were ordinary wicker-work chairs, such as were to be found in the smoking-rooms of clubs in the Dominion. The statement 'that , the Governor's car was luxuriously furnished was incorrect. There were three or four upholstered chairs in the drawingroom compartment, but so far a 6 the car itself was concerned there was no upholstering. It was true that the car had been returned to the workshops for alterations, but these were trifling, such as His Excellency's experience of travelling had shown to be necessary.