RAILWAY METHODS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18324, 14 February 1923, Page 10

RAILWAY METHODS.

THE LOST TICKET. OFFICIAL EXPLANATION. DENIAL OF CALLOUSNESS. The District Traffic Manager of Railways writes that the telegraphed statement concerning a little girl who lost her ticket and was left friendless on the platform, published on Monday, was' in many respects incorrect and misleading to the general public. He proceeds:— The . particulars are as follows —On the evening in question a railway porter noticed a girl about 15 years of age apparently looking for something on the railway platform where the train due to leave Auckland at 7.40 p.m. was then standing. The porter, as is not unusual for a railway man under such circumstances, approached the girl and offered assistance. She stated she had lost her ticket. The porter suggested they go to the entrance gate and make a . thorough search. The assistance of another member of the service was obtained, and further search was made without success. The porter then brought th© matter under the notice of the station-master, and he directed the porter to have a search made- in the -car the girl had previously occupied. After this was done, and before the departure of the train, the girl was asked what she intended doing, bho said she had friends outside and would go to them. The porter escorted the girl to the 'gjate, and she was passed through and did not return. The girl made no mention whatever that her parents were to meet her at To Awamutu, nor did she state "that mother would pay when I get there. .There are no grounds whatever for the unjustified charge of callousness on the part of the railway staff. As a matter of fact, th© girl did not seem concerned about not leaving Auckland that night.

ANOTHER LOST TIOKET. OWNER HELPED BY OFFICIALS. "Grateful" writes:—"l have read with much satisfaction your scathing comments on the happenings at the Aucklnnd railway -station. I was also much surprised to read about the girl who was not allowed to travel because she had mislaid her ticket. Compare her case with one that happened to my son in Wellington last Friday. . He lost his ticket on the station, but was not put off the train. Moreover, after' the departure of the train for Aurkland a porter found his ticket. The station-master at Wellington rang up the line to inform the guard that the ticket had been found. As an old railway hand I have on several occasions found passengers travelling without tickets. On such occasions I merely handed them over to the station: master at their destination, who made arrangements about the collection of the fare." SUBURBAN TRAINS. INFORMATION OFFERED. Mr. A. K. Harris, District Traffic Manager, writes: —The anonymous correspondent in your issue of February 12 has not stated the position correctly. If he will kindly call at my office I will be glad to explain the position to him.