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Railway Progress in New Zealand.
General Manager's Message.
a test of efficiency.

I have long been convinced that the first requirement of any railway system, and more particularly a nationally owned system, is to be so equipped in personnel and facilities as to be able to deal satisfactorily and adequately with the public demands as they arise under circumstances of either seasonal or unexpected pressure. That is its purpose, and upon its ability to pass that test must it be judged.

One of the unexpected tests to which our system has been put recently was in the handling of the exceptional passenger traffic created by the visit of the Springbok Rugby Football Team to New Zealand.

Up to the time of writing, special train arrangements have been made for the district matches at Auckland, Hamilton, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Wellington and Christchurch, and for the first Test Match at Wellington. For all these matches, in which the most intense interest has been taken and where all previous records of attendances have been broken, the railway services have proved adequate to the extent that no one who desired to use the trains provided, has been denied the necessary transport to see any of these great games. Notwithstanding the increasing public enthusiasm I feel that we will be equally successful in handling the traffic problems associated with the remainder of the South Africans' tour; but in the meantime I wish to commend those of the Department's Staff who have worked so well in arranging the necessary accommodation for travellers, in running the augmented services to schedule, and in attending so well to the many requirements of passengers.

A very pleasing indication of the benefit of modern station facilities was afforded at Wellington on the day of the first Test Match. Here 195 trains and rail-car services were handled with ease and expedition and approximately 18,000 inward and outward passengers were dealt with throughout the day. Almost 2,000 people had meals in the Station Dining Hall, 3,200 were served in the Station Cafeteria, and 200 passengers took advantage of the hairdressing saloon and bath facilities of the Station, while many more had the comfort, shelter and rest, with easy access to post and telegraph facilities, telephones, bookstalls and refreshment stalls, which the new Station is so generously designed to afford.

It was another test of efficiency, and the result was undoubtedly pleasurable both to the public who used the Station and to the railway staff responsible for the organisation, train running, refreshment services, and general operating work associated with it. It was also an answer to the paid propagandists and others who, at the present time, without justification or evidence, attempt to decry the excellent service being rendered (and to be rendered) by the Railways, and who comment deprecatingly upon the prospect of the Railways Department being asked to extend its activities in the service of the people and the public interest.

I wish to thank the staff for the part they played in rendering such good service to our patrons.

General Manager.