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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 9, Issue 9 (December 1, 1934)

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Upon three occasions in the present century New Zealand has been honoured by visits from members of the Royal Family. The first was in 1901 when Their Majesties, the King and Queen (then Duke and Duchess of York) included this country in the course of an Empire tour. The second visit was made by H.R.H. the Prince of Wales in 1920, and the third by Their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of York in 1927. On each occasion members of the railway service had an opportunity to carry out the bulk of the transport incidental to the Royal tours. We are now eagerly looking forward to the visit of H.R.H. the Duke of Gloucester, who is to arrive in New Zealand on the 15th December.

There is no need for me to stress the fact that the members of the Railway Service in New Zealand take second place to no section of the community in their loyalty to the Crown. The Department's past records, in peace and war, give ample proof of this. I am confident that, as during previous Royal visits, railwaymen will rise to the demands of the occasion in their efforts to provide the highest degree of safety, comfort, and efficiency in the transport of the Royal Party throughout the Dominion, and that they will leave with His Royal Highness none but pleasurable recollections of his rail travels in this country.

Thirty-three years ago the Department was singularly honoured in having the Foundation Stone of its Head Office building laid by our present King. It is a fortunate coincidence that his son should have graciously consented to perform a similar ceremony in connection with Wellington's new station, which will also be the future headquarters of the Railway Department.