Successful Inauguration

The railcar service between New Plymouth, Wanganui, and Wellington, was inaugurated successfully on 16th April. The railcar Aotea, which travelled from New Plymouth was fully booked. On its arrival at Aramoho a short civic welcome was given by the Mayor of Wanganui, Mr. W. J. Rogers.

Mr. Rogers congratulated the Government representative, the Minister of Justice, Hon. H. G. R. Mason, on the inauguration of the service, which he was sure would be greatly appreciated by the Wanganui public. Mr. Rogers pointed out that railcar travel was an established fact in the Dominion to-day.

In reply, Mr. Mason, who was heartily cheered by the gathering, said that well attended and enthusiastic receptions had been given all down the line. The railcar was one of the latest, comparing favourably with any throughout the world, and it was hoped to develop an even fuller service.

“The railcar maintained its schedule splendidly,” said Mr. W. M. Cole, District Traffic Manager in Wanganui, who travelled as far as Aramoho in it in company with Mr. J. Dow, District Engineer, Wanganui, and other officials of the Railways Department.

At New Plymouth.

The New Plymouth station was decorated by the railway staff and as the ribbon was cut by Mrs. E. R. C. Gilmour, Mayoress, the streamlined car moved away to the cheers and clapping of spectators numbering many hundreds. In addition to the Hon. H. G. R. Mason, Minister of Justice, and Mr. G. H. Mackley, General Manager of Railways, and his party, there were many passengers from New Plymouth. All seats available were booked, some of the travellers having arranged to join at Stratford and Hawera.

Addressing the gathering at New Plymouth, Mr. Mason said it was an occasion of historic importance. He apologised for the absence of the Minister of Railways, Hon. D. G. Sullivan. Mr. Sullivan had taken the keenest interest in the developments of railcar operation in New Zealand since he assumed the portfolio of Railways in 1935, and had given particular attention to the Department's problems in the Wanganui-Taranaki district, this involving not only the designing and construction of a suitable type of railcar for the 251 miles between New Plymouth and Wellington, but also the arrangement of a time table satisfactory to the largest number of potential users.

Mr. Sullivan wished him again to express his appreciation of the interest and assistance of local bodies, chambers of commerce and Parliamentary representatives in the electorates most closely concerned in reaching uniformity

Before the departure of the mobile broadcasting unit, 5ZB, from Wellington on 4th April. (From left): Announcer, Bob Pollard (broadcasting the farewell ceremony), the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, Minister of Railways, Mr. Beau Shiel, Acting-Controller of the National Commercial Broadcasting Service, the Hon. F. Jones, Minister of Broadcasting, and Mr. G. H. Mackley, General Manager of the New Zealand Railways.

in the choice of the timetable for railcars on this run.

Mr. Mason was sure that the General Manager and the responsible staff were equally pleased that the outcome of their efforts in the design, construction, and scheduling of the railcars for the New Plymouth service had been such as to give general satisfaction to the public. Mr. Mackley had been indefatigable in his efforts.

At Stratford a number of people gathered at the station to watch the car's arrival and departure. One man boarded the car for the journey south. On Saturday evening, on the way to New Plymouth, Mr. Mackley was met at Stratford by the Mayor and Mayoress, Mr. and Mrs. Percy Thomson.

On arrival at Hawera the railcar was greeted by a large crowd which page 62 packed the entire station platform. With the Mayor, Mr. J. E. Campbell, were Messrs. E. K. Cameron, President of the Hawera Chamber of Commerce, J. B. Murdoch, Chairman of the Hawera County Council, and H. Thrush, a member of the Hawera Borough Council.

Gratification with the highly successful inauguration of the Taranaki-Wellington railcar service was expressed by Mr. G. H. Mackley on his arrival at Wellington after the first run of the service. In spite of two unavoidable delays the car easily maintained its schedule and reached Wellington ahead of time. The car picked up the ten minutes it was late in leaving New Plymouth before it reached Aramoho. There was a slight delay at Palmerston North. The car was full all the way and the passengers said they were thrilled with the run, concluded Mr. Mackley. They were surprised at the comfort and cleanliness of the car and the excellence of the fittings.

A New Canoe.

The railcar would be the new canoe for the young people, but it should serve to remind them of the old canoe Aotearoa that brought the Maoris of old to New Zeaalnd, said Momona Tamihana when speaking for the Maoris at the ceremony at the New Plymouth railway station. His suggestion that the car should have its title extended to the original Aotearoa was later readily agreed to by Mr. G. H. Mackley, General Manager of Railways. When it had been decided to name the railcars after historical canoes as a compliment to the Maori race, Mr. James Cowan, a recognised authority, had explained that Aotea, meaning “clear light,” was the early name of Tahiti, from which Trui set out 600 years ago for Taranaki, said Mr. Mackley. Turi was the principal ancestor of Taranaki natives, and it was therefore appropriate that the railcar should be named after his canoe.

“Railway Cocktail.”

Naming it a “railway cocktail,” a Past President of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, Mr. G. C. McCaul, summarised the qualities of railwaymen when speaking at the inauguration of the railcar service at the New Plymouth station. “There is a certain quality possessed by railwaymen the world over,” he said. “It is their common heritage.” His recipe was: One part foresight, two of courage, a thick slice of ability, and a dash of caution.

New York World's Fair

When Their Majesties King George and Queen Elizabeth visit the New York World's Fair (as it is hoped they will), they will find at the foot of the giant golden statue of Britannia guarding the British Government Pavilion, a most attractive bureau staffed by the British railways. The entrance to this bureau is flanked on either side by models of famous expresses—the L.M. & S. “Coronation Scot,” the L. & N.E. “Coronation,” the G.W. “Cornish Riviera Express,” and the Southern “Brighton Belle.” Inside, there is a huge illuminated map showing the main railway routes in Great Britain and Ireland, and with miniature drawings of places of outstanding scenic interest. Posters of every type are on show, and behind the 17ft. long glass-topped counter are experienced travel representatives qualified to answer every conceivable enquiry. The piece-de-resistance, of course, of the whole Fair is the actual “Coronation Scot” train placed on show by the L.M. & S. Railway.