RAILWAY FACILITIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20086, 25 October 1928, Page 16

RAILWAY FACILITIES.

MEETING PUBLIC NEEDS. TOURIST PARTIES CATERED FOR. A VARIETY OF INNOVATIONS. The new policy of bringing the railways into tho closest possible touch with the varying needs of the community is making itself felt in tho rapidly growing activities of the commercial branch of the railway department. Several innovations recently introduced are proving decidedly popular. The department now keeps it) touch with tourist agents overseas, and is constantly answering inquiries about New Zealand from prospective visitors. Tours of parties through the country are being arranged in detail by tho department. Such a tour will be made by a number of Australian bowlers in January, after tho conclusion of a tournament in Wellington, and in February a party of 200 Australians is to make a personally conducted tour, leaving the whole of its transport and hotel arrangements with the department. The tour of the Empire Forestry Delegation has just been completed under the same auspices, and Lord Clinton has expressed the utmost satisfaction with tho arrangements made for the comfort of the party. The recently introduced night express service between Christehurch and Invercargill 'has proved a great convenience. It was specially appreciated by on the Manuka, who reached the Bluff on a Sunday night. Instead of losing a day they travelled by the night express and arrived in Christehurch at 7.30 on the Monday morning. Another successful niovo to meot the requirements of the public has been tho placing of moro attendants on the chief trains. The privilege of booking seats for any journey of more than 25 miles is also being much appreciated. A proposal to run excursions from the South Island for farmers who wish to attend the Hamilton Show is now being inquired into, and if found practicable, it may develop into another special type of railway service. The commercial manager of railways, Mr. D. Rodio, arrived in Auckland yesterday morning from Wellington, to supervise arrangements for tho Auckland commerce train, which ho will accompany when it leaves to-morrow evening.