Tributes to Railway Staff.

At the conclusion, on 29th June, of the inquiry into the Railway accident at Ratana, on 26th March, both counsel made complimentary references to the work of the staff. Mr. G. G. G. Watson (counsel for the E.F.C.A.) said that, speaking from a long experience, he could conscientiously say that he had never experienced secretarial work and recording work of a higher standard. Mr. H. F. O'Leary, K.C. (counsel for the Railways Department) remarked that the capable manner in which the evidence had been typed had saved the inquiry many days of sitting.

Sir Francis Frazer (Chairman of the Board of Enquiry) expressed the Commission's gratitude for the help from counsel, and said that it was fitting that the Commission should have the opportunity of expressing publicly its thanks for the work of the secretary (Mr. J. G. Whetton), and that of the reporters (Misses M. Mawhinney and G. Gunn).

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A Mystery Party.

(Contributed.)

When Mr. W. D. Frazer, of the New Zealand Railways, consented to address a private audience on the scenic beauties of our own country, he left Otira in the belief that he was going to a “buck party” in Fendalton, Christ-church; that is why he did not bring his wife, though he was asked to do so. His modesty was equal to meeting the surprise when he faced an audience of University professors, bankers, financiers and accountants, all married, or nearly all. Mr. Frazer exhibited for two hours over two hundred pictures of superlative beauty. The artistry of the views placed Mr. Frazer in the very forefront as a real exponent of all that is beautiful in New Zealand. His views were in natural colour, and the audience frequently applauded some unbelievably fascinating view. The screening of the Waimakariri River, the frozen waterfalls, the sea of clouds beneath, with Mts. Cook, Elie de Beaumont, and other giants peeping out from the top, were outstanding items. Then came keas, glaciers, icefields, crevasses, and Canon Newton on the peaks, with Archbishop Kelly boating on the mirror called Lake Matheson. The Grahams with their home in the West, the Fox Glacier and its hostel, and Captain Mercer in his ‘plane landing on lone beaches at Bruce Bay or on unexplored strips in the Haast River were full of interest. Then came an unforgettable trip in the “M.V. Gael” to the Dusky, Doubtful, and Milford Sounds—ninety miles from the sea, past sheer precipice, thousand-feet waterfalls, fairy islets, and tranquil waters, with ever the majesty of a ten-thousand foot sentinel of snow for company. That party comprised leading Christchurch men, several of whom saw themselves in action for the first time, and one in particular was amusing as he scrubbed his dentures in a bucket of sea-water. One of the guests afterwards exhibited a moving-picture of incidents in that excursion, showing other beauty which Mr. Frazer had not time to deal with. Of especial interest was a shoal of black fish which sported alongside the “Gael” for some hours.

Mr. Frazer received an ovation at the end of his display. All the guests recognized the artist in the pictures. The explanation of each picture, whether cutting steps past a cornice at 10,000 feet, or sitting on the top of Mt. Tasman looking out over the world and its entrancing beauty, provided the real explanation. Mr. Frazer had been there. That was the significant and interesting side of an absorbing entertainment.

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Some Railway “Howlers.”

The following “howlers,” collected over a period of years, were submitted by a member of the Department's technical staff concerned with the marking of the apprentice examination papers.

“A key is used for joining the cylinder to the motion so it does give more strenth than any other joint.”

“The buttress thread is used on the connecting rod for joining the engine and tender together.”

“All marking off time is illuminated as the jig automatically centres the holes.”

“A rivet is used in the shop for the purpose of acting as a permanent fasting.”

“If an apprentice does not pass in shop or school work he can have his indentials cancelled.”

“If he proves trustworthy and good at his work he signs an aggrement called a Debenture.”

“Loss of life may be caused by the default in the job he has done.”

“Filing flat is one of the secrets of Engineering.”

“The rotary blower or centroficul fan is a set of blades which are set radically on a shaft.”

“If this average is received for three successive years the Diploma comes to you mechanically for the other years. If you fail one year to gain 80% the Diploma is only allowed for the years you passed and then drops off.”

“A pipe is a ring which is very long and obtained in different lengths and sizes.”

“Thy hydraulic riveter is driven by air.”

“The award of the diploma allowance is granted to those who extinguish themselves in their work.”

“An articulated locomotive is one that uses superheated steam.”

“All the materials sent out of the shops goes through the foreman of the Reclaim Shop.”

“He is given the sack and his indentials is cancelled.”