The Earthquake Disaster.

While absent in Australia attending the Australian and New Zealand Railways Conference, I much regretted to learn of the earthquakes which had taken place in the Dominion and which had caused serious damage on the West Coast of the South Island.

We, as a Department, extend our deepest sympathy to those who have been, in some cases, deprived of their homes by the very untoward circumstances, and we are pleased to see the very generous response the public of New Zealand is making in connection with relief measures.

So far as our service is concerned, while we, of course, suffered heavily, we are glad to know that the damage to the railway has not been so extensive as might have been expected from the nature and magnitude of the disturbances.

I wish to express my very warm appreciation of the manner in which all concerned struck to their tasks in the affected area. They are to be commended on the promptitude with which our services were restored.

General Manager