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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 1, Issue 9 (February 25, 1927)

The Board's Message. — Our Royal Visitors

page 4

The Board's Message.
Our Royal Visitors.

The approaching visit to these shores of Their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of York, gives to the Railway staff of the Dominion an exceptional opportunity to pay honour to the Royal Family—and through it, to the Empire the members of that Family so worthily so worthily represent.

The Board recognises (as each member of the Service will recognise) that our Empire is the glorious heritage of every British-born subject; an Empire made great and still growing greater because based on those vital principles of freedom and equity the maintenance of which, through all her borders, has been—and continues to be—the fixed determination and ruling passion of the British race.

The occasion is one of great historic importance, the Royal visit coming as a fitting climax to the Imperial Conference of 1926—the most important Empire event since peace was declared.

To the Railways has been entrusted the privilege and responsibility of conveying the Royal Tourists over the major portion of their journeys throughout New Zealand. It is with a confidence firmly based on past experience that the Board asks the co-operation of every member employed on any duty connected with the operation of the Royal trains, or engaged anywhere along the route by which the Royal party will travel, to do all in their power to ensure the safety and comfort, and add to the pleasure of these visitors from the heart of our Empire. Let us, throughout the period of their stay, endeavour to establish, by co-operative efficiency, a record for courtesy and service.

Orderliness being a first assistant to safety, the Board asks not only controlling officers, but every employee from porter, surfaceman, cleaner or cadet, up through all grades of the service, to enter into the spirit of the movenent by having everything under their immediate care spick and span in anticipation of the event.

Further, when the tour is in progress, let every care be taken to see that the special instructions circulated regarding train operations and working methods are intelligently carried out. This with particular reference to matters affecting the safety and comfort of our visitors. By every member giving of his best, he will do credit to his country and his Empire.

We already know that the opinion held regarding railways by his Royal Highness is a high one. Speaking at the 1925 Railway Centenary Celebrations he said (inter alia): “Railways, the facilities they afford and the vitally important services they daily render to the community have become so commonplace in these days that we barely give a passing thought to their influence on our lives. Their faithful services bring us the necessities of life; their speed, reliability and cheapness have combined to break down the barriers of distance, so that now we think mainly of the time railways have helped to save, and thus to lengthen life.”

Such appreciation cannot fail to strike a responsive chord in the hearts of all railwaymen. It must be remembered, however, that as our visitors are coming from the Homeland, where railways have reached their highest pitch of excellence, it will require our best efforts to provide a standard of service worthy of the occasion. Nevertheless, judging by the whole hearted way in which all concerned have entered into the preliminary preparations, the Board feels assured that in their further efforts in this direction the staff will amply uphold the traditions of the Railway Service in this country.

Finally, the Board on behalf of all the staff, desires to take this opportunity of extending a hearty welcome to Their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of York, and all their entourage. We trust that their stay will be a happy one for themselves, as it will be a memorable one for the people of New Zealand.

page 5
Visit of Their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of York to New Zealand, 1927. H.M.S. “Renown” conyeying the Royal party; also brought the Prince of Wales to New Zealand in 1920. H.R.H. The Duke of York addressing gathering at Railway Centenary Celebrations. The Duchess is seated on the right and Sir James Allen on the left of the group.

Visit of Their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of York to New Zealand, 1927.
H.M.S. “Renown” conyeying the Royal party; also brought the Prince of Wales to New Zealand in 1920.
H.R.H. The Duke of York addressing gathering at Railway Centenary Celebrations. The Duchess is seated on the right and Sir James Allen on the left of the group.

page 6
Royal Tour Of New Zealand.1 Russell 2 Tokaanu (Near Site Of Royal Camp) 3 Pembroke Hotel (Southern Lakes District)4 Buller River (West Coast, S.I.) 5 Scene In Tongariro National Park, N.I.

Royal Tour Of New Zealand.
1 Russell 2 Tokaanu (Near Site Of Royal Camp) 3 Pembroke Hotel (Southern Lakes District)
4 Buller River (West Coast, S.I.) 5 Scene In Tongariro National Park, N.I.

page 7
Royal Tour Of New Zealand.1 Rotorua Plains 2 Huka Falls (Waikato River) 3 Ngauruhoe4 Gardens, Rotorua 5 Maori Gathering, Rotorua

Royal Tour Of New Zealand.
1 Rotorua Plains 2 Huka Falls (Waikato River) 3 Ngauruhoe
4 Gardens, Rotorua 5 Maori Gathering, Rotorua