ROYAL VISIT TO DOMINION

Taranaki Daily News, 26 January 1934, Page 10

ROYAL VISIT TO DOMINION

RAILWAY TRAVEL FACILITIES. EXTREME CARE TAKEN. When Prince George visits New Zealand at the end of this year many Government departments and public organisations will share the honour of welcoming him, guarding his safety and ensuring his comfort. Guards of honour will be required, civic authorities will have the responsibility of welcoming him to municipalities and boroughs, and no doubt a special force of detectives will be assigned to accompany him on his tour of the Dominion. Above all, the officials of the Railways Board will be responsible for his safe and speedy transportation from place to place. When the last Royal visit was made to New Zealand, that of the Duke and Duchess of York in 1927, elaborate arrangements were made by the Railways Department to ensure the safety and provide for the comfort of the visitors. Not only had the department to provide them with transportation, but also stations had to be decorated and a special car built for the convenience of the Royal travellers. During their tour by rail a pilot train consisting of a locomotive and five cars preceded the Royal train everywhere it went and an emergency train of the same size followed it. The Royal train itself consisted of a locomotive and 10 cars.

The greatest possible care was taken on this trip to ensure the safety of the visitors. Besides a rigid system of patrol and guarding of points and crossings, all facing points, all cross-over points and all points leading to the main line were securely spiked so as to prevent their opening at least a quarter of an hour before the arrival of the pilot train, which itself preceded the Royal train by a quarter of an hour. All tunnels were guarded and no animal or vehicle was allowed to pass a crossing within five minutes of the time at which the pilot train was due. Also special patrols were provided at all bridges, tunnels, cuttings, and places where slips might occur. Trains which might have to pass the Royal train were examined for any projections, speeds were definitely set for the train at all comers, and arrangements were made so that no train could move in any area in which the Royal train was moving.