The Traffic Gauge.

Proof of the increasing service rendered by the railways to the public of New Zealand is found in the latest returns available regarding the traffic position. These shew that for the 44 weeks of the current financial year to the 4th February there was an increase of 196 thousand passengers over the number carried by train in the corresponding term of the previous year, and at the same time the Department's road services shewed an increase of 384 thousand passengers. The increase in the total number of passengers carried by the Department has thus been over half a million, or a numerical increase of 3 per cent.—a very welcome change from the previous unvarying downward trend in passenger traffic since 1929.

Although the goods tonnage is still falling in sympathy with the general trade position, decreased costs have helped to stabilise the situation, so that the total net revenue for the 44 weeks to the 4th February was $584,038, an increase of $52,896 over the corresponding term last year. It must be pleasing to the public and railwaymen alike to see this very satisfactory result in the face of such adverse conditions.

Railway Gardens.

The Department gives every encouragement to the staff in the development of station gardens, but naturally success at the smaller centres is necessarily dependent upon an inherent love of beauty and orderliness amongst members of the Department themselves. Some notable results have been achieved at certain stations through the keenness of the staff and this has been substantially helped by the interest of such associations as the Gardening Circle of the Otago Women's Club and the Canterbury Horticultural Society. These associations have promoted competitions between stations and given prizes over a number of years, and have seen their reward in some remarkable beautifying effects and a general improvement in the appearance of station precincts. Besides being good tor business there is certainly a character-building benefit to the individuals associated with these fine efforts to apply the beautiful in nature to station improvement. I am pleased to see this work being carried on and I feel sure that the results already achieved must be very gratifying, both to the members of the staff at the various stations, and to those public organisations which have interested themselves in the work.

Railways Magazine.

This issue of the Department's Magazine commences the eighth year of its publication. Ever since its establishment it has functioned systematically for the advantage of the railways—the Dominion's largest enterprise. Many new features are being introduced in the current year to increase the national character of the journal's contents, and it is hoped that the increased variety of articles and illustrations will prove pleasing to readers. The stronger support which advertisers are giving is proving distincdy helpful in financing the publication and should have favourable reactions for all concerned.

Acting-General Manager.