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By Those Who Like Us

The Divisional Secretary of the Queensland Division of the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen (Mr. J. Valentine), writes:—

I am directed to express our fullest appreciation of the courtesy extended to one of our members, Driver W. F. Wallis, Ipswich, during his recent visit to your Dominion. Since his return Mr. Wallis has sung great praise of your welcome and the trouble taken to ensure a very pleasant trip. Your hospitality is greatly appreciated by the members throughout Queensland.

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“I am very glad to report that…. . during the recent rush of phosphate importations good supplies of trucks were available,” writes Mr. A. F. Ellis, New Zealand Commissioner on the British Phosphate Commission, Auckland, to the Director General of the Agricultural Department.

Since 3rd May last approximately 40,000 tons of phosphate rock have been discharged here and the quick despatch given to vessels, owing mainly to a sufficiency of railway trucks, has been an important factor in attaining the desirable object of supplying phosphate to the Dominion at the lowest possible price.

The Director General took the opportunity to express to the Railway Board his Department's appreciation of the efforts made in meeting the position created by the abnormal arrival of supplies of phosphate, and added that the quick “turn round” of vessels carrying the phosphate was an essential factor in the economical supply of fertiliser to the farmer, and that the good supply of trucks enabled this to be accomplished.

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Writing to the District Traffic Manager at Auckland, the Director of the firm of Henderson and Macfarlane Ltd., expresses appreciation of the services rendered by the Department in connection with the discharge at Auckland of a cargo of phosphate from Nauru Island ex the s.s. “Mariston.” Phosphate to the amount of 5,400 tons was discharged in a little less than three days and “constitutes a record made possible only through the efficient manner in which the Department provided a continuous and satisfactory supply of trucks.”

Writing to the Stationmaster at New Plymouth on behalf of the Taranaki Basic Slag Distributors, the firm of Newton King Ltd. expresses thanks and appreciation for the assistance rendered in connection with the discharge and distribution of several cargoes of basic slag, which arrived recently at that port:—

The members present realised that in some instances, owing to various causes, considerable difficulties had to be overcome, and were only straightened out by the willing and courteous co-operation of yourself and staff.

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Mr. H. McComish, whose son was recently transferred from the Wellington Hospital to the Queen Mary Hospital, Hanmer, writes in appreciation of the kindness and sympathetic help rendered by the Railway staff on the journey from Lyttelton to Culverden.

Had it not been for the tact and sympathy of the staff, from stationmasters to porters, the removal would have been most trying for the boy. They did all that was in their power to assist him and to make his journey as easy as possible. We shall always be most grateful for their thoughtfulness.

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Mr. W. E. Sainbury, of Perth, Western Australia, writes to the Secretary, Railway Board, as follows:—

I must express my appreciation of the kindly spirit which is shown to all tourists by your Government Railways. I am a constant visitor to New Zealand, which to me, is one of the prettiest countries I have yet travelled. I hope to again have the pleasure of visiting New Zealand accompanied by my wife and family early in the coming year.