An Appreciation.

As a sample of the rail traveller's appreciation of the courtesy and helpfulness of the Railway staff in New Zealand, we have pleasure in reproducing the following letter recently received by the Chairman of the Government Railways Board, Mr. H. H. Sterling, C.M.G., from a grateful resident of Te Awamutu:— I wish to call your attention to the courtesy, help, and consideration accorded me by your officers at Te Awamutu recently, and to assure you of my sincere appreciation of the same.

Briefly, the facts are as follows:—On or about 17th December I rang our Stationmaster (Mr. R. H. Annibal) asking for three reserved seats on an express train leaving here about 8.20 on the morning of the 23rd December.

On or about the 19th December Mr. Annibal advised me per phone that no seats were available on that train, but he had reserved the seats on an extra express leaving here about 4.40 on the same morning.

Now, Sir, there was no need for him, or his staff, to go out of their way to secure me accommodation, and I greatly appreciate the consideration and trouble that the local officers went to in this matter.

When returning from my leave the Stationmaster at Wellsford was courtesy itself. I rang him and asked for seats on the Opua-Auckland express and Auckland-Wellington Limited on the 4th instant. A few days prior to coming home, and when I got to the Wellsford station the reserved seat tickets on both trains were available. I cannot speak too highly of your officers' courtesy, and want to assure you of my appreciation of the services rendered me.