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Railway Progress in New Zealand
General Manager'S Message
The Price of Safety

The price of safety is eternal vigilance. The effectiveness of the vigilance exercised by the staff of the railways in securing safety for the travelling public was never better exemplified than when the torrential downpour with cloudburst effect last month endangered many miles of railway in the central portion of the North Island Main Trunk line. From one end of the country to the other and from every source expressions of appreciation have poured in to the Management for the fine work done by the Department in meeting the emergency situation then created and in maintaining, despite colossal flood damage, the unbroken record of many years for no fatalities amongst railway passengers.

I desire to take this opportunity of expressing to the staff the Railway Board's and the Management's keen appreciation of the fine work done on that occasion by all engaged in the work of protection, reconstruction and emergency transport throughout that difficult period. The present also appears to be an appropriate occasion for letting the public know something of the safety system which, backed in times of emergency by the intelligent anticipation of an alert staff, enables the Railways of this country to justify their slogan “Safer by Rail.” In times of storm every mile of track where trouble may be anticipated is patrolled by the men of the maintenance service to ensure safety for the passage of trains. Caution signals are set up where necessary. There are speed-regulating notices, the proper use of which is dependent upon the good judgment of a staff trained by long experience to know what speed is a safe one having regard to the existing condition of any section of track. Drivers and firemen are all qualified by examination and experience for running safely and within the margins of speeds carefully calculated for the types of trains working over the various sections of track. The signalling system in the busier centres is of the latest type for sections of dense traffic, and elsewhere electric tablet and inter-locking between signals and points secures the utmost mechanical safety. Then the whole transport personnel of guards and shunters, stationmasters and train controllers right up to District Officers and beyond, is composed of carefully-selected, trained and experienced men whose first duty is now, as always, the safety of the public.

It is through a system and personnel of this kind that, no matter where an emergency arises in either the North or South Island, the railwaymen on the spot can be depended upon to do the best possible in whatever circumstances for the safety, comfort, and expeditious transport of the travelling public.

Acting-General Manager.