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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 6, Issue 1 (May 1, 1931)

Department Ready for the Call

Department Ready for the Call.

One of the most important lessons taught by the disastrous earthquake of Hawke's Bay is the immeasurable national value of the State Railways for New Zealand's welfare. Immediately after the great shake the stricken area had the help of the Railway Department's far-reaching specialised organisation. The details of this article show the quickness of the Department's response to the need, and further assistance would have been available in accordance with the people's requirements. Indeed, if the effects of the earthquake had been severe enough to demand the complete evacuation of Napier and Hastings, the Railway Department could have mobilised sufficient rolling stock and trained man-power to remove the whole of the population in twelve hours.

The Railway staff living in the earthquake area were probably affected to the same extent as the rest of the community, but the discipline in the service was so good that without exception the staff remained at their posts throughout their terrifying experiences and did everything that could be reasonably expected of them to provide for the safety of their lines of communication and for any demand that might subsequently be made upon transport facilities.