NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS.
A SCATHING INDICTMENT. (From Our Own Correspondent.) AUCKLAND, March 24. Writing on things in, general in the Herald, a special writer waxes facetious regarding the New Zealand railways. He says, inter alia: "A recent example of how passengers are treated happened on St. Patrick's Day last week. Large numbers of people went up the line from Auckland to the Ngaruawahia regatta. It must have been known to the authorities that the traffic would be heavy, so they thoughtfully provided for it. Several trucks, which could have been profitably employed .in the conveyance of freight and coal, and which frequently carry cattle, were fitted up as passenger cars. In, these crowds of excursionists made the journey; nothing extra beinig charged for the generous deses of smoke swallowed in the Parnel] tunnel, and no additional fee being asked for the unusually luxurious accommodation provided. Several ladies, unable to find seats in the second class' carriages on the train, invaded a first classcoach. Cn the guard demanding their exodus, they refused to go unless he found them accommodation in a second class carriage, nor would they pay the difference in fare demanded And this is the much-vaunted railway system of the Dominion! This is the system that the Minister of Railways says he is determined to make a payable one, these being his methods ,of doing it. What a farce it all is! With totally inadequate rolling stock farmers, coal-mine owners, and shippers of wool and produce are starved for the means of conveyance up or down the line or to the port. Passengers are hustled into cattle trucks whenever they want to travel in large numbers. Fares are raised. 'Useful trains are .abolished. Suburban services are run at inconvenient hours. Stations are provided for Auckland and other centres that would be a disgrace to back-blocks towns, and yet the Hon. Mr Millar serenely says that the railways must be made to pay. I wish he meant it."' .'' . r':...^:
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/OW19100330.2.12
Bibliographic details
Otago Witness, Issue 2924, 30 March 1910, Page 4
Word Count
329NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS. Otago Witness, Issue 2924, 30 March 1910, Page 4
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