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General Manager's Message

I Propose to address to the staff, through the medium of the Magazine each month, a short message on current events of interest to the staff in the hope that in that way I may communicate to them some of the matters which are running in our minds and which I think are worthy of consideration by our railwaymen.

The exigencies of space will necessarily make the message brief, but I hope to be able from month to month to pass on ideas to our staff that may be both interesting and helpful to them in their work.

Train Control.— The system of train control which has been initiated on certain lines is now settling down to smooth working, and already material advantages in the way of increased efficiency in the operating of trains have been achieved.

As is the case with the introduction of all new procedure some difficulties were experienced in the initial stages, but the staff generally have appreciated the fact and have worked together to remove these difficulties. Sometimes there may have been misunderstandings in regard to questions which have been asked members in connection with the running of their trains. I would counsel such members to realise that it is only by the possession of the fullest measure of information regarding the actual running of trains and the reasons for variations in the performances of various trains that Train Controllers can get the best results. Such questions are asked solely because the information they elicit will be of value. I would ask the running staff to view queries received from the Train Control branch in this light, and afford them the fullest measure of information in their replies that they possibly can.

Meetings With Staff and Public.— During the month we have had a number of opportunities of coming into contact with the staff and various representative bodies of the public.

All our meetings have been very cordial in character, and I am pleased to be able to tell the staff that our reception at the various public meetings we have attended justifies the belief that there is a swing of goodwill towards the Railway Department that must be, to every member of the staff, most gratifying. We have pledged the staff to merit this goodwill and we have every confidence that every member will assist us to honour the pledge.

Statistics.—The statistical returns for the three periods ended 23rd June of the current financial year show a gratifying increase in operating efficiency. Notwithstanding the fact that the periods mentioned covered two working days less than the corresponding periods of last year, the volume of transportation, measured in gross ton miles, increased by 1.8 per cent., whereas the train mileage increased by less than .3 per cent., and the train hours decreased by 2 1/2 per cent., The average goods train load increased from 228 tons to 234 tons, or by 2 1/2 per cent., while the goods train speed increased from 11.8 miles to 12.3 miles per hour, and goods train hours decreased by more than 2 1/2 per cent.

These figures indicate that an increased volume of traffic was handled with a smaller expenditure of both time and money, and are evidence of commendable advance in the efficiency of our System.