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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 9, Issue 9 (December 1, 1934)

A Civil and Courteous Staff

A Civil and Courteous Staff.

The following interesting impressions of the New Zealand Railways are contained in a letter to the Editor of the “New Zealand Railways Magazine,” received from Mr. Ernest Laverack, of Sydney, New South Wales:—

As an officer of the Transport Board of New South Wales, I recently visited New Zealand during the course of my annual leave, my wife accompanying me. We visited Rotorua, travelling there and to other parts of your country by rail, and I must congratulate you on the comfort and cleanliness of the trains. There is no doubt at all in reference to the civility and courtesy of the railway staff of New Zealand. I have travelled a good deal in other parts, but my wife and I both award the first prize to your men. Auckland Railway Station impressed us as being always very clean, the approaches to the station being nicely laid out. We also liked the illuminated railway sign on the top of the booking office in Queen St., Auckland. It is perfect, and cannot be missed.

I must also mention the “Railways Magazine.” It is a very interesting journal and a great credit to the Railway Department. The copies I have passed on to the Railway Institutes in the country districts give much pleasure—especially to some of the locomotive men.

At Christies famous auction mart in London not long since, was offered to the highest bidder an old English tobacco-box in solid silver, beautifully chased, and with an exquisitely painted female figure on the lid. A thing of beauty! Originally it may have cost five or six guineas. Under the hammer it realised £35. Years hence it may fetch double. Genuine antiques usually appreciate in value. Such tobacco boxes were quite common in the 18th century. Nowadays most men carry pouches, and are (rightly) more concerned about the quality of their tobacco than about its container. Brands innumerable there are, a prime favourite with 20th century smokers being “toasted New Zaeland” remarkable no less for its soothing and comforting properties than for its comparative freedom from health-destroying nicotine—eliminated by toasting. The five brands of this beautiful tobacco—Cut Plug No. 10 (Bullshead), Navy Cut No. 3 (Bulldog), Cavendish, Riverhead Gold and Desert Gold—are in universal request. There's no tobacco like “toasted.” But see you get the real thing. Avoid worthless imitations.*

The Concourse of Wellington's new station.

The Concourse of Wellington's new station.

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