RAILWAY METHODS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24944, 17 June 1942, Page 6

RAILWAY METHODS

Sir,—l wish to enter a protest against the actions of railway officials. _ Six weeks ago we shifted from Dunedin to Benhar, and the quote for the removal was £ls 10s. On the morning on which we left an official met us on the Dunedin station and demanded the £ls 10s in advance on the pretext that Benhar is a flag station. He had no receipts to offer, and I refused payment. " At Benhar our furniture was shifted by a dirtv gravel truck (not a covered van, as paid for), and the driver asked for the money. I handed over £l4, and kept 30s in case of damage. I received an unstamped receipt on a dirty scrap of paper, with the promise of an official receipt by post. A few days later I wrote asking for a receipt, and mentioned some broken articles. No reply has been received of any nature. To-day the accountant in the business which employs me informed me that on two occasions the Railways Department had telephoned and requested him to stop 30s from my pay. Action such as this on the part of a private concern would furnish the grounds for a civil action, but I expect the Government can ride roughshod over its own laws.

I have written this letter as I consider the business methods of the Railways Department need some exposure, and I trust that some responsible person will take the matter further.— l am, etc., D. I.

Benhar, June 11. [This matter has been referred to the district traffic manager, Dunedin, who has replied as follows: "The arrangements were for the owner to pay the amount of £ls 10s prior to the furniture leaving Dunedin, but as he had not done so he was reminded of the position before the train left the station. He declined to adhere to the arrangement, however, stating that he would not pay until the effects were delivered to his house at Benhar. An official receipt was available in the passenger office had the cash been forthcoming. The department would have been entitled to hold the furniture in Dunedin until the amount was paid. At Benhar the South Otago Transport Company carted the effects from rail to house. This firm has had a lot of experience with furniture removals, and would not knowingly cart effects in a ' dirty gravel truck.' If there was a small quantity of gravel in the truck very little effort would be required to remove it. With regard to payment of the money at Benhar, the carrier did the best he could in the circumstances. The consignee should know that private carriers do not issue departmental receipts. Had the amount been paid in Dunedin, as arranged, the consignee would have had his official receipt without any trouble whatever. I am advised, also, that the consignee's action in retaining a portion of the charge was not that stated by him."— Ed. O.D.T.]