I hereby certify that the publisher's lists and other records disclose that the circulation of the “New Zealand Railways Magazine” has not been less than 20,000 copies each issue since July, 1930.

Deputy-Controller and Auditor-General.

Answers To Correspondents

J.A.N.—Subject good, but requires different title and should be condensed. H.E.C.—Your epic story accepted. G.I.J.—Funny, but too advanced for us. H.F.—Still too free with the rules of poesy. E.A.F.—Rather dramatic, and creates the wrong atmosphere. T.A.D.—Try something happier. E.S.—Lines too general; the change from “thou art” to “are you” and some other constructions are unusual. D.A.L.—The mixture of rhymed and blank verse detracts from the charm of otherwise good work. “Waikiwi”—There are some N.Z. railway fares (school excusion, friendly society, factory, and so on) which could hardly be beaten anywhere for low price. But comparison with other countries is not satisfactory unless the circumstances are similar. D.J.C.—No appetite for ghosts—too bewildering. K.McL.—A colourful picture of a gold-mining town in N.Z.; will use later. G.S.J.R.—On the subject of trampers’ outfits there is room for difference of opinion—compare Smythe and Dyrenfurth in the “Kangchenjunga Adventure.” Tangiwai, however, speaks from long experience. C.E.M.—Good drawing, but subject uninteresting. G.W.R.W.—Lines suit the majesty of the subject; thanks. H.F.—Thanks for the funny sketches; our artist may be able to re-draw. A.B.P.—Your mako-mako is a little gem. “September” is too much under the dominance of old-world phrasing. K.W.—Vague clues, and not at all like our policemen. I.H.T.—Thanks, but cannot use without your subject's authority. M.L.G.—Hardly fair to our poets. R.H.J.—Subjects excellent, but lines too rugged; try polishing to sustain metre. O.M.I.—J.M.—Your lines are irresistible. J.R.J.—Would you condense by half and submit again? Some excellent stanzas, but you should re-string them. The clippings required are of paragraphs. P.P—Too general for our purpose. C.S.P. Good work, but we want N.Z. subjects. Ngaio—Well told, but regret unable to use. N.M.S.—Using one—the “gifts,” not the “songs.” J.J.S.—Amusing, but suggest you try it locally. J.H.L.—Your blackbird got home all right. H.J.H.—Afraid if we published, there would be chilling blasts from the Winterless North. E.C.—Element of surprise misses somehow. J.J.S.—Rather too abnormal for us. L.S.—Sorry, space not available. C.A.—Well suited to an Australian publication. A.K.D.—Arrived too late. C.A.—A good imitation of the Ken Alexander rail-swagger, hence unsuitable. S.W.L.—May be true, but doesn't look well. D.J.C.—Really interesting and right on the target. L.R.H.—Art and flora will get their turn all right. Your twilight theme fine. W.A.C.—Letter shews the right spirit—thanks. Heady sketch, but you will see why inappropriate for competition. A.H.B.—Good pars, except that the tale of dishonesty, depravity, murder and treachery, serves no present purpose. C.B.—A good story of its kind, though not for us. T.M.B.—Description good, but lines not sufficiently metrical. D.A.S.—One of the best. N.J.—The old, old story—but the Maori words are too plentiful for the average reader. E.M.—Good, but rather heavy for our pages. A.S.—Humour of sketch admitted. However, customers are not fair game. For these we always observe a close season. D.W.R.H.—Regret article on same subject already accepted. M.I.I.—No local colour. J.D.—Not sufficiently in line with our policy. D.K.K.—Dream too far removed from the subject. G.K.—Accept your fine tale of youthful enthusiasm. I.W.B.—Have recently run two Milford stories; regret unable use yours. E.G.—Well told, but a Brunner record already contracted for. H.W.K.—A good vision—rather too Miltonic for modern consumption. H.F.—The sleeper that died with a spike in its side, and its companion poem and story, are all too sad for us. U.C.—Paragraph and poem right. Have somewhat similar ride already. R.G.P.—Two too good to miss—other three miss. Humour genuine, but more planing needed. W.E.C.—Hard luck, though it might happen to anybody. Photographs interesting, but too indistinct. A.L.B.—Accepting Northland description—try another. Sorry no room for story. M.S.—Your verses carefully examined, but they need more polishing. O.M.S.—Thanks for appreciation. Prefer N.Z. lines, if you have them. K.M.—Good pars. Thanks. E.M.D.—Much better. R.W.—With a little more work, your lines would be good. G.R.—Do not propose to deal further with this subject. N.E.D.—Idea good, but even for a song, the rhythm of words should be better sustained.

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