In the Right Spirit.

Mr. T. H. Tuohy, whose retirement on superannuation from the position of Stationmaster at Morrinsville in March, was marked by a largely attended public valedictory function, showed in his speech the fine spirit of faith in the service which permeates the staff. “In my long career as a railway officer,” said Mr. Tuohy, “I do not remember the efficiency generally to be of a higher grade than it is at present. It is more than ever the aim of every railway servant to give the utmost service. This, and the high grade of safety to travellers, will be felt in the near future and bring back business to the railway.”

Following high tributes to Mr. Tuohy's capacity as a railway officer, by the Mayor (Mr. T. W. Osborne) and other members of the public and of branches of the service, Mr. R. S. W. Smith, in commending the efficiency of the service to those present, urged them to secure greater patronage for the railways. “The trains have to run,” he said, “and it costs money to run them. Therefore it is bad business to carry ten people where there is room for fifty.”

* * *

A Difficult Situation.

Admiration of the manner in which the Railways Department handled a difficult situation when the train services were disorganised by the floods in North Otago recently was expressed by Mr. James Hogg, when speaking to a representative of the Otago Daily Times. Mr. Hogg, who returned to Dunedin from the north, said he was very favourably impressed with the arrangements which were made for the transfer of the passengers from one train to the other at the point where the line was impassable. He also commended the foresight of the railway authorities in Dunedin in sending away cars capable of passing through the flood waters. The delay caused at Oamaru while the advisability of sending on the train from Christchurch was being considered, might have seemed to call for criticism, he said, but when it was considered that the decision was one which could not be made lightly, the hesitation of the officials was easily explained. “I consider,” said Mr. Hogg, “that the Railways Department is deserving of high commendation for the expeditious manner in which the train service was reorganised in the face of great difficulties.”

* * *

A Railway Bargain.

“The Evening News,” England, reports that the Bavarian State Railway has offered a railway line, 15 miles long, complete with stations and rolling stock, and in full running order, to whomsoever is willing to take it over.

Not merely is it a free gift, but the State will also pay £500 yearly to the person who accepts it.

It is the last Bavarian State Railway and runs through a most picturesque district near the Austrian frontier, from Ruhpolding to Reit.

Hitherto it has been run by the Forestry Administration, who could not make it pay, but the State does not wish it to be closed down, as it is largely used by summer holiday makers and winter sports devotees.

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