The following is a copy of a letter of appreciation received by the Stationmaster, Lambton, from the Matron of the Red Cross Home, Hobson St., Wellington:—

One of my patients has recently been for a holiday to his home at Eketahuna and also to Dannevirke. Being a spinal case, he was only able to travel in a cot in the van of the train.

On his return here on 5th September, he told me how very kindly and courteously he had been treated by all the railway officials. Wherever he went it was the same. He was very struck by, and deeply appreciative of, the real kindness shown him.

I would like so much to thank all those officials on my own and my patient's behalf, for their kindness, and to assure them that their attentions added greatly to his comfort and to his enjoyment of his little holiday.

* * *

Appreciation of the Department's efforts to please passengers travelling on the Limited, is expressed in the following letter from Mr. W. H. Atkin, Auckland, to the Stationmaster, Auckland:—

I have just returned from a business trip to Wellington and back. It is some years since I travelled on the rail to Wellington and I feel that it is only my duty to express appreciation of the many improvements that have been introduced for the comfort of travellers.

In the old days one Was disturbed at all hours to have one's ticket punched. This method no longer exists. I was asked if I was going right through, and having replied in the affirmative my ticket was punched and I did not see the guards again until the end of the journey.

The De Luxe Sleeper is a boon, and worth double the ordinary sleeper, the wash basin with hot and cold water (the latter must be a boon to the ladies), fan and ventilators and curtains on windows, and the hot pipes for cold weather, being especially noteworthy features. Then the cup of tea provided in the sleeper at certain stations is much to be preferred to the rush at the refreshment counters. I thoroughly appreciated the voluntary efforts of train attendants (brushing boots, etc.) to make the trip into a pleasurable journey.

* * *

From Mr. G. J. Fitzpatrick, Feilding, to the General Manager of Railways, Wellington:—

Were I an ordinary passenger on our railways (which I am not), and had I a grievance (which I have not), I would probably either rush into print or send you a nasty letter.

My object is a pleasant one. Travelling with my wife by the “down” New Plymouth express yesterday afternoon, I had difficulty in securing seats as I had not booked ahead. I made my difficulty known, and was treated with conspicuous courtesy by the guard. I desire with respect to place my appreciation on record.

The guard had probably never seen me before. He does not know my name. I ascertained his name was Marshall. If you have any way of informing your officers that their kind assistance is recognised, please let Mr. Marshall know I am obliged to him.

* * *

In reference to a request made to the Department by the Kawakawa Chamber of Commerce for a timetable alteration affecting the train service at Kawakawa, the Secretary of the Kawakawa Chamber of Commerce writes to the General Manager of Railways in the following appreciative terms:—

I have been instructed by my Chamber to convey to you their very sincere thanks for the attention you paid to their request for an alteration in the railway timetable as it affects Kawakawa.

We thank you for the courteous treatment we received from your staff and yourself, and are pleased that we had the privilege of making your acquaintance.

We are naturally pleased that you decided, after putting the case on its merits, to reinstate the Saturday train, and sincerely trust for our mutual benefit that it will be a success.

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Safety Committee Meetings
How To Conduct Them

The following extracts are taken from a publication issued by the National Safety Council of America and will, no doubt, be found of interest in regard to the work of our own Safety Committees:—

“There are all sorts of safety committee meetings—some of them are like funerals, some merely debating societies, some are very effective. If they are too “dead” they bury the enthusiasm of the safety movement under the sod; if they are debating societies, they bury it under an avalanche of words; if they are effective, they put the red blood of success into every artery of safety work. A “dead” committee can't have a “live” meeting; a thoughtless committee can't have an intelligent meeting.

A rapid-fire, aggressive, enthusiastic meeting can be produced only by men who believe in the work they are doing, and who are determined to make it a success.

Officialism and red-tape must be put in the background and co-operation must stand out as predominant. The chairman must exercise a fine discretion in curbing unprofitable discussion on the one hand, without, on the other, discouraging freedom of action along lines properly within the scope of the committee.

The chairman is the key to the situation. He can either make or ruin the success of the meeting. If he can impress the men with his sincerity of purpose, that he is heart and soul with them in the fight against avoidable accidents, that, in fact, he is the best “safety man” on the committee; if he will greet the members cordially, make them feel at home, exercise friendly tact in drawing out the best that is in them, and thus create an environment of good fellowship and co-operation in the humane work that is set before him, he will do more than any other man can do to make the meetings interesting and profitable. If, on the other hand, he is cold and indifferent, narrow in his views, official in his bearing and unresponsive to the suggestions offered, he can “kill” the meetings and with them the vital spark of the whole safety movement.

The presiding officer should prepare the programme or, at least, sketch out the salient points for discussion. He should so sub-divide his subjects as to draw into the discussion all the men attending, and should also encourage them to accept responsibility in making the meetings and the safety work successful.

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