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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 3, Issue 6 (October 1, 1928)

Educational Value of Railways

Educational Value of Railways

Much has been written and said upon the value of railways for developmental and commercial purposes, but their capacity for assisting in the education of a people has not been so fully considered.

The facilities they provide for gaining general knowledge regarding the geography of the districts they serve is, of course, easily appreciated, but that is a function which the motor can also (though to a more limited extent) perform. But the special educational value which the railways possess is in their adaptability to the purpose of mass movements of people and things—at low prices. In this the rail has no land competition.

The extent to which this facility has been used in the past is the measure of each nation's educational progress—the most backward countries being the least railroaded. But, although Bacon understood travel “in the younger sort” to be a part of education, it is only in comparatively recent years that an effort has been made to turn to practical account—as a definite objective—the educational value of railways.

In Great Britain a practice is now developing for the conveyance of trainloads of school children to the different manufacturing areas in order to give them an insight into the source from which so much of the material wealth of the Homeland is derived. In this country it has been customary for many years to take the pupils from outlying districts at the cheapest possible rates and, frequently, by special trains, to the principal agricultural, pastoral and industrial shows of their province.

An adult turn to the movement is now lent by the week-end trips at low rates featured by the Department for enabling the people to increase their knowledge of their own land, and by Farmers' Trains that have been run during recent months between one producing district and another.

A further swing towards educational travel will take place this month with the introduction of a “Commerce Train” in the Auckland District.

It might be said that any business man who wants to become acquainted with the district in which his commercial interests lie can do so quite well by travelling round as a lone explorer. But to do the work thoroughly would be costly in both time and money–and probably the less the latter mattered the more the former would. So the “Commerce Train” was devised, upon which will be drawn together representatives of leading city commercial interests intent upon gaining knowledge of the country they serve. Opportunities for association and transit, not available to them as individuals, will be at hand in every direction throughout page 7 the nine days of their province-scouring tour. A royal welcome awaits them at every town, village, factory and farm, whilst the train will be their home, to which they return from every cross-country jaunt and in which, surrounded by the comforts and aids to enjoyment of modern rail travel, they will have better opportunity for an exchange of ideas and a better atmosphere for educational stimulus than could be obtained by any other means.

This, and similar trains that are bound to follow, should help greatly towards business betterment in every direction.

Justice Tempered by Mercy

A compliment was paid to the Railway Department by Mr. H. P. O'Leary, of the legal firm of Messrs. Bell, Gully, Mackenzie and O'Leary, in the course of a lecture on the subject of the law relating to the carriage of goods before a meeting of the Wellington Accountants Students' Society last month. Mr. O'Leary said that he had invariably found the Department willing to meet him half way in negotiating for the settlement of claims for loss or damage. The Department did not stand on the letter of the law, but if satisfied of the equity of a claim was always prepared to make a reasonable settlement. He had found the same principles applied to the settlement of claims under the Workers' Compensation Act. The Department, said Mr. O'Leary, was always disposed to allow claimants more rather than less than that to which they were strictly entitled.

Early New Zealand History. Shaw's Private Grammar School, Dunedin, 1865. The second tutor from the left is Sir Robert Stout (ex-Chief Justice). Two brothers of Sir Francis Bell (Leader of the Legislative Council) are amongst the pupils—Edward (second from right) and Ernest (second from left

Early New Zealand History.
Shaw's Private Grammar School, Dunedin, 1865. The second tutor from the left is Sir Robert Stout (ex-Chief Justice). Two brothers of Sir Francis Bell (Leader of the Legislative Council) are amongst the pupils—Edward (second from right) and Ernest (second from left

By a coincidence, the accompanying photograph came into our hands just prior to Mr. O'Leary's lecture. It shews Mr. E. Bell (of the firm with which Mr. O'Leary is associated) as a schoolboy in the school taught by Robert (now Sir Robert) Stout in 1865–63 years ago.

Our September Cover Design.

The cover of our September issue, depicting a fair mountaineer amongst the snow and ice of the Southern Alps, has been the subject of much favourable comment. The photograph on which the design was based was taken by Miss Elsie K. Morton, the well-known Auckland journalist, and we have pleasure in acknowledging her courtesy in permitting its use. Miss Morton's articles in the Magazine have always been of a high standard, and it is interesting to learn that a collection of her travel sketches and essays upon life and affairs is about to be published in book from under the title “Along the Road.”

Empire Forestry Delegation.

The Empire Forestry Delegation, consisting of 65 members from all parts of the Empire, will arrive in Wellington on 8th October for a three weeks' tour of the Dominion. The Railway Department has organised the whole of the arrangements, including taxi-cab, steamer, rail and road services, and hotel accommodation. A special train service, including sleeping, lounge, dining and kitchen cars will be provided for the visitors, who will thus be able to make a comprehensive tour of the country in the course of carrying out their great work in the interests of Empire forestry.