The latest development on our system in the direction of co-ordinated effort to suit the convenience of through travellers has been the amalgamation of interests between the railways and road operators in the Hawke's Bay, Poverty Bay, Bay of Plenty, and Thermal districts of the North Island. Under this plan, specially low fares for combined rail and road trips are made available for travellers either into or from the above districts, or for those who desire to use this alternative route through the North Island for journeys between the northern and southern provinces.

Through the absence of rail connections in that area which is bounded on the east by the Main Trunk line, on the north by the railway terminal at Rotorua and Taneatua, and on the south by the railway terminal at Napier, a very varied and rich stretch of territory has remained through half a century, an unknown land to the average traveller. Bad roads, expensive transport, and uncertainty of connection with the main travel routes, has caused the average planner of trips to leave this portion of New Zealand out of his itineraries. The wonderful bush scenery of the Motu Gorge and ranges, the magnificent vistas of mountain and valley, river and lake, gained when overlooking the mystic Urewera country, the historical romance associated with such places as “Young Nick's Head,” the rich and smiling plains of the mis-named “Poverty Bay,” plains which find their outlet in that modern and prosperous provincial centre, Gisborne town, have all been missed, not only by the world-tramping tourist, but also by the great majority of New Zealanders. Good roads are now the rule rather than the exception in this country. The co-ordinated services just arranged will ensure both good connections for through travellers and the cheap transport necessary to place the routes traversed on at least an equal footing with areas that have, in the past, been more favourably placed.

A Wellington traveller wishing to go through to Auckland by the eastern route will have no more trouble over transport, once he boards his train, than he would have when going by the Main Trunk railway. Arrived at Napier, a taxi, which is supplied as part of the through service, will take him to his hotel. He will be called for after breakfast the following morning and carried through to Rotorua by his own chosen route, either via Taupo and Wairakei, or via Gisborne and Opotiki. page 6 At Rotorua he will be taken to his hotel, and from there to the railway station, where he will board his train (the “Rotorua Limited,” of course, for preference), and so on to Auckland.

A round trip of half the Island may be made either from Auckland or Wellington, via National Park. The Auckland traveller would proceed via Putaruru, Rotorua, or Taneatua, to Wairakei and Taupo, and thence to rejoin the train at National Park, or, if he preferred, in the reverse direction; and the Wellington traveller who disembarked at National Park could proceed via Taupo, Wairakei, Rotorua, Gisborne, or via Taupo direct to Napier, and thence by rail to Wellington.

Very definite efforts are now being made to increase the volume of tourist traffic to this Dominion. The value of such traffic is beyond doubt, and the value of New Zealand from the tourist's point of view will be considerably increased because of the organised plans now adopted for his convenience in travel through this fine eastern country of the North Island.

New Level Crossing “Stop” Signal

Upon taking control of the New Zealand Railways, Mr. H. H. Sterling, General Manager, took in hand the matter of devising an effective and unmistakable type of signal for crossing-keepers. A great many ideas were explored, and were eventually reduced to one or two. The warning signal selected consists of a display board upon which the word “Stop” is picked out with reflecting lenses, the signal thus being visible to motorists approaching a crossing from either direction. The board is attached to a staff about 4ft. in length, the whole device being constructed with a view to its being made readily portable. When the conference on motor legislation was convened by the Minister of Transport some months ago, opportunity was taken to put the ideas before the conference. The conference confirmed the idea which had been suggested by the Department of providing the crossing-keepers with the portable notice as described. However, the necessary material to permit of the notices being provided immediately was not in the Dominion. The Department

(Rly. Publicity photo.)
The warning signal for crossing-keepers, recently authorised for adoption on the New Zealand Railways.

has taken steps to obtain supplies, and these are expected to arrive shortly. Immediately supplies are to hand the work of constructing the notices will be commenced, so as to have them in the hands of the crossing-keepers with the least possible delay.

The Most Charming Country

Writing in the “Dominion” a few days ago, Mr. W. H. Saunders, F.R.G.S., paid the following fine tribute to the scenic charms of New Zealand:—“I have made several visits to New Zealand, and though a world traveller of over fifty years, during which time I have visited most countries of the globe, I maintain, without hesitation, that New Zealand is the most charming, interesting, picturesque, and intriguing of all. I never cease urging all I can to visit our most loyal and most Southern Colony, and I am always sorry that the charms of New Zealand are so little known in the Old Country.”