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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 10, Issue 1 (April 1, 1935)

A Distinguished Visitor to New Zealand. — Mr. J. W. Davidson, C.M.G., M.Inst.T

A Distinguished Visitor to New Zealand.
Mr. J. W. Davidson, C.M.G., M.Inst.T.

Mr. J. W. Davidson, C.M.G., M.Inst.T., Chairman of the State Transport Board and Commissioner for Railways, Queensland, was in New Zealand last month on a semi-official visit. During his brief stay in Wellington, Mr. G. H. Mackley, General Manager of Railways, invited his executive officers to meet Mr. Davidson at a social gathering in the city. The meeting was a very happy one and was particularly interesting to several officers who had previously come into contact officially with Mr. Davidson in Brisbane.

The Queensland Railways cover over 6,000 miles of territory (approximately twice the mileage of the N.Z. Railways), and as the gauge is the same as that in New Zealand and the volume of traffic is very similar, there is much of mutual interest, from a railway viewpoint, between the two countries.

Mr. Davidson proved a most interesting and entertaining guest, with a charming personality. Having already travelled extensively in the South Island he was ready to discuss technical points in railway practice from the angle of a friendly, observant expert, and his comments, punctuated by some excellent stories in Illustration, were keenly appreciated by the officers present.

He was greatly struck by the excellence of the permanent way, and had many nice things to say about the high quality of service experienced during his tour, which was undertaken primarily for health reasons.

Mr. Davidson was looking forward eagerly to his North Island tour as he desired to make personal comparisons between the two Islands, as seen by the tourist. Incidentally, he considered that there was a good opening for increased reciprocal travel between New Zealand and Queensland. The climate of Queensland is at its best in the winter months, and being much warmer than New Zealand, should prove particularly attractive at that time to New Zealanders, whereas the more temperate summer climate of New Zealand would be very acceptable to visiting Queenslanders. The development of tourist traffic along Queensland's “Sunshine Route” has been one of the Important features of Australian travel in recent years.

Departure from Wellington of Their Excellencies Lord and Lady Bledisloe, on 15th March, 1935, upon completion of Lord Bledisloe's five years of office as Governor-General in N.Z.

Departure from Wellington of Their Excellencies Lord and Lady Bledisloe, on 15th March, 1935, upon completion of Lord Bledisloe's five years of office as Governor-General in N.Z.

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Tauranga's Place In The Sun: Told By The Camera. The waterfront at Tauranga, North Island, New Zealand, showing Mt. Maunganui in the background. (Rly. Publicity photos.) The Strand, Tauranga's business area. Mount Maunganui (1,000ft.) guards the entrance to Tauranga Harbour much as Rangitoto guards the entrance to Waltemata, and looks down on ample depth of water. The harbour extends for many miles at varying depths, and the service by railway and road is such that Tauranga is marked out for eminence. It is the stepping stone to or from the Bay of Plenty and the pumice hinterland. Its proximity to the Rotorua and Taupo wonderland, and its own peculiar virtues of climate, kindly to man and plant life, make Tauranga a key point on the holiday map. Historic, sunny, sheltered, fruitful—a fisherman's paradise.

Tauranga's Place In The Sun: Told By The Camera.
The waterfront at Tauranga, North Island, New Zealand, showing Mt. Maunganui in the background.
(Rly. Publicity photos.)
The Strand, Tauranga's business area.
Mount Maunganui (1,000ft.) guards the entrance to Tauranga Harbour much as Rangitoto guards the entrance to Waltemata, and looks down on ample depth of water. The harbour extends for many miles at varying depths, and the service by railway and road is such that Tauranga is marked out for eminence. It is the stepping stone to or from the Bay of Plenty and the pumice hinterland. Its proximity to the Rotorua and Taupo wonderland, and its own peculiar virtues of climate, kindly to man and plant life, make Tauranga a key point on the holiday map. Historic, sunny, sheltered, fruitful—a fisherman's paradise.