IMPROVEMENT IN TRAIN SERVICES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume L, Issue 12254, 13 May 1903, Page 7

IMPROVEMENT IN TRAIN SERVICES.

CIVILIAN ASSISTANTS. REWARDING THIS LOYALISTS Melbourne, May 12. To-day's suburban and country services both showed a slight improvement on that of yesterday, all the trains getting away fairly well on time. Distress is already felt in some country towns owing to a shortage of provisions, famine prices ruling at a good many places. Large crowds still gather to watch the arrival and departure of trains, but everything is orderly and quiet. Strong bodies of police have been brought from the country so that any attempt at a renewal of the rowdyism, which marked the opening scenes of the btrike will be quickly suppressed. Many members of the Stock Exchange havtf ohVro/i their services as special constables or general assistants on the railways. A strong body/ of University undergraduates is doing patrol work at the stations. ' j ' ' ■ .

All the trains arc much uotter patronised, many being crowded. "Work has been suspended so fur as most of the shipping berthed at tho wEarves "conEecFecT with the railways is concerned., Three grain-laden vessels wU be taWlf vp tfio river to discharge. ' i ' The city * presented "a' much more lively appearance to-day, and a more hopeful feeling is prevalent. A fund has been started to reward tho,. drivers and firemen, who proved loyal to "the Government. The Chamber of Manufacturers vpted £50 weekly to the fund, members of the Stock Exchange and many others contributing. Friday's express from Adelaide completed its much interrupted journey at mid-day.- The passengers made a collection for the driver, but he declined to accqpt it, saying that as an employee of the Government he had merely done his duty, f and? wished for no other reward. . The e'xpress k to Albury al^o got safely through this morning. The secretary of the engineers asserts that lots of men have told him a number of big employers , are forcing any man possessing a knowledge of machinery to ofl'er his services to the Raiilway , Department under pain of dismissal.