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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 3, Issue 10 (May 1, 1929.)

New Zealand's First Commerce Train

page 22

New Zealand's First Commerce Train

In a copiously illustrated souvenir number of the “Auckland Chamber of Commerce Journal” the president (Mr. H. T. Merritt) contributes the following forward:—

Many travellers on the Commerce Train expressed a wish that a suitable record of the tour should be compiled, and in making this issue of the “Journal” a “Souvenir Copy” I trust the result will meet with the general approbation of the members. To those who unfortunately were unable to go, the publication should prove stimulating, while to the fortunate ones who made the tour it should recall many pleasant experiences. An effort has been made to convey to the general public a few of the impressions gathered by the way, and to place on record an appreciation of the many kindly acts of simple courtesy, generosity and hospitality which were met with at every turn. These can never be forgotten. There was no exception anywhere, and when other memories fade or grow dim, the spontaneous welcome everywhere accorded will be recalled with fond remembrance. It must now be realised what a fine privilege was enjoyed by the members of the first “Commerce Train” to be run in New Zealand. The trip was full of many wonderful experiences, and perhaps the most amazing of all lay in the fact that with eighty men taken haphazard from sundry pursuits, journeying for nine days in a train under most intimate conditions, the whole journey was accomplished without friction, or any sense of discomfort. On the contrary, a spirit of comradeship amongst all the passengers was engendered which will be long remembered.

The Morning Bath. Mr. D. Rodie (right), Commercial Manager of N.Z. Railways, and Mr. A. W. Wellsted, Railway Business Agent, alongside the bath car of the Commerce Train.

The Morning Bath.
Mr. D. Rodie (right), Commercial Manager of N.Z. Railways, and Mr. A. W. Wellsted, Railway Business Agent, alongside the bath car of the Commerce Train.

A sense of kinship was also established with our country brethren, which was not the least pleasant feature of the tour and, in viewing the result of their labours in verdant lands being rescued from the wilderness, it was felt words were an inadequate tribute to the fine spirit and courage manifested in all their labours.

Other Commerce Trains will be run, and the same ground covered by other tours, but none could be more enjoyable or memorable than the one of which this souvenir is a reminder. To the citizens of Auckland, in the hope that it will arouse a more intense interest in the great undeveloped wealth of the province; to the people on the land as a tribute to their wonderful fortitude, as well as for the evident success they have achieved; to the good folk who, in their quiet but kindly way, gave the visitors of their best; to those members of the Government Departments and the members and staff of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce who laboured so well to make the tour a success; to the Railway staff on the train who gave such a fine example of service willingly rendered; and last, but not least, to awaken at some distant future in the minds of the travellers themselves, recollections of a journey full of pleasant memories, and not a single unpleasant one, this souvenir is dedicated.