Coming Into Their Own.

“I am confident that the railways are once more coming into their own,” said the General Manager, Mr. H. H. Sterling, in a recent address at the Commercial Travellers’ Club in Auckland.

“I do not say that in antagonism to other forms of transport, but I do feel that the position of the railways in this, as in many other countries, has been largely subject to misunder-standing.”

Mr Sterling said that while the railways accounts had shown an improvement this year, he did not think they should be judged entirely by that standard. He was inclined rather to judge the effectiveness of the system by the measure of satisfaction it gave to the people. In that respect he considered an advance had been made during the year. Service to the public could not be shown in terms of money. There were certain forms of service carried out by the railways which gave no return in money, but which were indispensable for the smooth working of industry and the needs of the people.

The Department was now operating under a new administrative policy and Mr. Sterling appealed for a chance for the new system to prove itself. The railways were a national institution, and as such had to operate for the benefit of the country. This was a policy he always followed.

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Railway Publicity Maps.

We have pleasure in reproducing, from the July issue of the New Zealand Railway Review, the following appreciative reference to the coloured contour maps of New Zealand (featuring particularly the railway system of the Dominion) recently published by the Department's Publicity Branch:—

“The Publicity Branch of the Railways Department, which shows great enterprise and originality in many directions, has produced nothing more attractive than the two large maps of New Zealand now being published. The railway system stands out prominently, as it should, but the unique feature of these maps, which makes them of far greater value than the usual productions, is that a considerable amount of knowledge of the country's configuration has been utilised in clearly showing the mountain ranges and the plains. By adapting a method of coloured shading, the mountains stand out apparently in bold relief, and show at a glance the characteristics of New Zealand. These maps should be placed in every school, for they constitute a great advance on anything formerly issued, and will serve as a very effective reminder that the Dominion, though a difficult country for internal communications, is splendidly served by its railway system.”

[It is pleasing to record a heavy and continuous demand for these maps throughout New Zealand. They are available on application to any stationmaster at 2/- each.—Ed. N.Z.R.M.]

“Cross Crossings” Cautiously.”

The ninth annual “Careful Crossing Campaign,” which is sponsored by the American Railway Association, is now in full swing. During the months of June, July, August and September each year all of the important railways in the United States co-operate in this campaign, which has for its object the reduction of accidents at level crossings.

This year the Pennsylvania Railroad is distributing throughout the territory served by its lines, 120,000 “Cross Crossings Cautiously” pamphlets, as well as 100,000 posters.

The posters invite attention to the fact that 2,568 persons were killed and 6,667 injured in accidents at railroad crossings in the United States last year.

In 1,200 cases, or 21 per cent. of the total crossing accidents, automobiles were driven against the side of trains moving over, or standing at, crossings. It is pointed out that this type of accident was responsible for the deaths of 259 persons and the injury of 1,701 others.

Queries.

Any reader who cares to ask for information upon points of railway work in regard to which he desired enlightenment, is invited to forward his queries to the Editor, New Zealand Railways Magazine, Head Office, Wellington. Replies will be inserted in these columns.