SLIPS ON THE MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1576, 21 October 1912, Page 5

SLIPS ON THE MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY.

Sir,—Noticing a paragraph in a contemporary reporting on slips at Ohakune, which has been grossly exaggerated, <\s I am a constant traveller on the New Zealand railways will jrou kindly give me the privilege of explaining a fow of my experiences? I left Palmerston by the Auckland express for Taumarunui on Saturday afternoon, arriving at Ohakuue at the usual time, whpro tho courtesy of the stationmaster is unfailing, and where I, for onn, found all the station staff most obliging in giving information. The train was kept heated by tho 6team from tho engine, which was connected un all night for the comfort of those who wished to spend the night in the carriages. Several of my fellow passengers, who did not feel inclined to spend the night in the train, were told before leaving the station for the hotels that tho express would leave at 5.30 a.m. About 4.15 a.m. someone employed in the d'ningcar came and shook us up. telling us to our great delight that breakfast would bo ready in a few minutes, and the Ilailwu) Department are to be congratulated on its forethought in providing the early meal, which was greatly appreciated by those having the long journey in front ,of .them. Arriving at tho Cross T<oari» (tho scene of tranship) we found everything in waiting, the only drawback which might have been avoided by the Department was that we all had to pay our own coach fare, which' came rather heavy on those travelling with a family. After a delny of about \\ hours the Horopito end of the slip was reached, and we once moro settled down to our jonrney. My stay in Taumarunui only being a short one, I left on my return journey on Monday morning, and found that upon arrival at the slip that everything wa9 well in hand by the officers in cuargc and after a short coach journey we were once more comfortable in the south-bound express; and, after a hearty meal on the refreshment car and a short smoko, the mails and liiggage arrived; we were steaming off only two hours late, so 1 for one think that we have little to make complaint about. • ' The place at the Ohakune end of the slip where we boarded the train being of tho porus formation was quite dry, the Horopito. end a little muddj, but when slips occur the constant traveller does not expect asphalt paths or carpets to walk upon. Thanking you for trespassing on your valuable space.—l am, etc., \ ONE WHO KNOWS. October 15.