THE NORTH SUBURBAN RAILWAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18040, 15 March 1922, Page 12

THE NORTH SUBURBAN RAILWAY.

Sir, —Recent severe criticisms of the New Zealand Railways Department constrain me to ask the question whether the department has any knowledge of the apparently exceedingly dangerous condition of the line at the Kingsland curve. There is constant speculation among passengers a3 to when a train will go over the side, and they wonder if the department is waiting for that before it proceeds to remedy the existing conditions. Whether it is that the outer rail is below the level of the inner one, I do not know, but there are certainly indications in the fearsome lurching of coaches as they round the curve. I do not think anyone would suggest neglect or carelessness on the part of tho driver, but with full trains—people travelling on every platform in addition to every seat being occupied—and slippery rails, it is quite possible that the train does not respond as readily to the application of the brakes as a train of ordinary weight. The whole railway service is typical of a semi-civilised country, but under present administration many who have worked for better conditions are satisfied that there will be no relief. It is one of the strange contradictions of things that a community who pride themselves upon their hirfi standard of ability and accomplishments before the world will continue year after year to put up with a service which is openly scoffed at by so many who have seen what other countries are doing just as a matter of ordinary course. It is exceedingly difficult in making comparisons with other countries to find any single instance which favours New Zea land. Surely it is high time that in fluential men who have some sense of pride in their country should take steps to end this condition of things. Bi.DLY SCABED.