RAILWAY MATTERS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20440, 19 October 1934, Page 7

RAILWAY MATTERS.

Board’s South Island Tour. CHAIRMAN'S REVIEW. Members of the Government Railways Board, after completing a visit of inspection of the lines between Christchurch and Invercargill, arrived this morning from Dunedin, having had the board’s carriage attached to the night goods train from the south. Accompanying the board was Mr E. Casey, who is Acting-General Manager in the absence through ill-health of Mr G. 11. Mackley. “ The object of the visit was to give people an opportu-

nity to make representations to the board, and to enable members to v’iew the state of the department’s plant. track and structures,” said Mr H. H. Sterling, chairman, to a reporter this morning. 44 The impression left by the tour is one of sat-1 isfaction from the

point of view of the service which is being rendered to the public and the standard which is being maintained by the staff throughout. At almost every interview, reference was made to the courtesy and the high standard of service of the staff. The board came in contact with officers and found that throughout they were seized with the various matters affecting the board’s operations and policy.” Christchurch Requests. This morning a deputation from the Christchurch Chamber of Commerce had made requests in the direction of rate adjustments, said Mr Sterling, and it was gratifying to the board to know that the Chamber of Commerce had fully appreciated the matters required to be dealt with from a business point of view*. It was felt that a common understanding between the board and representative commercial bodies paved the way to real co-operation, and this was of great davantage to the commercial people in the various districts. “ The board is particularly pleased at the practically entire absence of complaints,” said Mr Sterling, in referring again to the tour. 44 The board readily heard all who wished to approach it, and in no case did we hear of a complaint concerning the Railway Department’s service. All suggestions to improve services were gladly received, and in every case full and complete investigation will be made, with the sympathetic desire to meet requests as far as it is practicable. “ The future is difficult to gauge,” said Mr Sterling in conclusion. 44 The railways are sensitive to the general prosperity, and while revenue has been shoiving a tendency to improve, there is nothing striking to justify undue optimism. There is much to be thankful for, however, particularly on account of the fact that though the upward tendency is small, it is nevertheless real.”