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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 7, Issue 6 (October 1, 1932.)

Organisation of the Branch

Organisation of the Branch.

Efficient transportation can be secured only by detailed organisation, and by the delegation of responsibility to the various members of the staff, so that no misunderstanding can arise as to the duty of each member. This organisation is under the direction of the Traffic Superintendent, Wellington, and functions through District Traffic Managers. The railway system of the Dominion is divided into seven traffic districts:— Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Ohakune, Wanganui, and Invercargill, with a District Traffic Manager in control of each district. There are five isolated sections: Kaihu, Gisborne, Picton, Nelson and Westport, and the traffic here is worked by the Stationmaster-in-Charge under the supervision of the Traffic Superintendent.

Each District Traffic Manager operates his district by medium of his train running and transport officers, stationmasters and goods agents, with the necessary staff of clerks, foremen, guards, shunters, signalmen, porters, etc. By means of this staff and by personal contact he keeps in close touch with the transportation requirements of passengers and clients. Each stationmaster of necessity comes into close contact with the users of the railway at his station, and is able to advise

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New Zealand Railways Transportation Branch. Top: Mr. J. C. Schneider, Traffic Superintendent; (centre) Mr. F. Herbert, Outdoor Transportation Assistant; (below) Messrs. A. G. Cockroft, J. D. Nash and K. Fanthorpe, members of the clerical staff. (Mr. R. J. A. Stirling, Chief Clerk, absent on leave.)

New Zealand Railways Transportation Branch.
Top: Mr. J. C. Schneider, Traffic Superintendent; (centre) Mr. F. Herbert, Outdoor Transportation Assistant; (below) Messrs. A. G. Cockroft, J. D. Nash and K. Fanthorpe, members of the clerical staff. (Mr. R. J. A. Stirling, Chief Clerk, absent on leave.)

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them as to the best way of despatching or obtaining their goods; and he is able to advise the District Traffic Manager as to the requirements in his district. Every care is taken to ensure that the younger members of the service make themselves efficient in the regulations with regard to charges and general working, so that they will be in a position to give correct and definite information and advice, without hesitation, to the Department's clients. Three examinations have to be passed by these members, and their advancement in the service is conditional on the passing of these examinations. Members are enjoined to show that civility and helpfulness which is the due of all passengers and other clients of the Department. The detailed organisation of the branch, and the hearty co-operation of the staff ensure efficient working of the transportation machine.

The District Traffic Manager is in a position of great responsibility, for in addition to the general supervision of the working of his. district and of the staff, involving as it does the maintenance of that discipline which brings efficiency, he is also the medium by which the general public in his particular district approaches the Department.