THE RAILWAYS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20312, 20 July 1929, Page 14

THE RAILWAYS.

Sir, —A "Citizen," taking a trip to Taneatua (probably his first), complained in Thursday's Herald of the discomforts—cold seats, unclean lavatories and unswept carriages. On the day referred to the cars were warm, the lavatories had been freshiy cleaned at Auckland and were also dono at Franktnn and en route and the carriages were clean and sweet. The seats are covered in leather, hut, unfortunately, the railway cannot afford to instal heaters to heat the seats, as required. As far as the state of the carriages was concerned 1 know their condition, for I was on the train. "Citizen" is not fair. He does not say that this is generally the case. I have travelled cn the railways for many years now, both North a.nd South Islands. I have been courteously treated, have had every comfort that one expects on a railway journey. Never yet has the train collided with another, nor has it tried to climb a telegraph pole. Neither has the driver tried to race a motor-car and made it a "tie" at the crossing where the acci* dent occurred. "A fair thing is a fair thing," and I do think that "Citizen" should not have allowed his mental outlook to reflect adversely upon a journey which he apparently did not want to take, and his obvious means of travel. Fair Buck.