Other formats

    TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 1, Issue 3 (July 24, 1926)

A Situation Retrieved

A Situation Retrieved

Quick work by railway men in retrieving an awkward position caused by an error on the part of a porter is the subject of pleased comment by officers of the Franklin Poultry Club. The early train from Auckland on Thursday morning brought about twenty-five homing pigeons, in two crates, from an Onehunga owner for entry at the club's show. However, following a practice in vogue by arrangement between pigeon owners and railway men, in connection with pigeon flying contests, a porter liberated the birds, not noticing that they were consigned to the club secretary, and on the label were written the words, “not to be liberated.” The crates were also put on an Auckland-bound train a few minutes later, to be returned to Onehunga, states the “New Zealand Herald.” When the mistake was discovered, the Pukekohe railway staff quickly established communication with the owner and the officers at his nearest station, with the result that the birds were secured on arrival at their loft, put back into the crates, and sent back to the show by train in time to be judged.

The above is published to show how a situation may be retrieved when one of the few errors to which even railwaymen are liable, gets itself committed. Instead of crying over spilt pigeons, the quickest means were taken to have them replaced. On being asked to explain a similar mistake in the Christchurch goods shed a few years back the storeman confessed himself stumped. “These little things will happen,” he wrote, “God only knows why!”

New Zealand.
Land of Wealth and Beauty
.

New Zealand, land of scenic change;
Wondrous, grand, and mystic, strange;
Burning mountains, snow capped peaks;
Foaming torrents, rippling creeks.
Boiling springs and glaciers cold,
Caves just wondrous to behold.
Waterfalls and rivers deep,
Coloured lakes and mountains steep,
Bush in every shade of green
Form a glorious natural scene,
Beauteous ferns and wild flowers bright,
Its lakes and sounds are wondrous sights.
With scenes of beauty rare and grand;
It truly is a wonderland;
The Southern Cross shines on each night
A paradise of dear delight.