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Railway Progress in New Zealand.
General manager's message
On Time.

Favourable comment has reached me from several quarters, through the press and from members of the public, regarding the satisfactory time-keeping maintained by the principal main trunk express and inter-provincial passenger train services during the recent holiday period.

It is very pleasing to know that the efforts of the staff have produced such favourable results. Punctuality, next to safety, is one of the most important factors in railway operation, and experienced railwaymen recognise this and do all in their power to ensure that trains will run to time. Besides the importance of punctuality to the travelling public, connecting services, hotels and the like, promptness in the arrival and despatch of trains is a very vital feature in the general success of railway operation as a whole.

I feel that the matter of punctuality cannot be too strongly stressed at the present time, for we have many new appointees in the service who will appreciate advice and guidance at the commencement of their career in the elements of railroad operation, and if they can be adequately impressed, during the early days of their association with the Department, in the outstanding importance of safety and punctuality, it will stand them in good stead when they reach controlling positions in the service.

At a station every member in any way associated with the despatch of trains can aid towards punctuality. The porter can have the luggage properly labelled and conveniently placed for loading without delay. The cadet or clerk can see that waybills are clearly prepared and ready for acceptance by the guard. The booking staff can have the ticket windows opened in good time, and be deft and accurate in their attendance to the requirements of passengers. The signalling staff can see that no moments are lost in setting signals as required, and the guards and shunters can work in close co-operation to assist expedition in the handling of the trains, and drivers and firemen can be ever on the alert for signals and react to them quickly and safely. In giving prompt service of this kind, members are not only serving the public well, but they are also obtaining greater satisfaction out of their work and helping to avoid the troubles that develop in the wake of late trains.

In concluding this message, I wish to express my personal thanks to the staff for their good work in train punctuality throughout the recent Christmas and New Year holidays.

General Manager.

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