SPEEDY RAILCAR TRIP

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19979, 3 July 1939, Page 5

SPEEDY RAILCAR TRIP

MINISTER GRATIFIED VISIT TO WAIROA INTEREST OF PUBLIC (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. With the Minister of Railways, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, and others who attended the opening of the NapierWairoa line on Saturday, the department’s standard railcar, Aotea, made a fast trip from Napier to Wellington ye,sterday. The car covered the 199 miles in 4 hours 20 minutes of actual running time. The Aotea left Wellington with the Ministerial party late on Friday afternoon and made the trip from Napier to Wairoa and back on Saturday. It left Napier again at 2.20 p.m. yesterday and reached Wellington at 7 o’clock alter making a number of stops en route. On the arrival of the railcar at Wellington, the Minister complimented the driver, Mr, E. Peach, on naving successfully completed the trip from Wellington to Wairoa and back. He had efficiently piloted the railcar on a journey of more than 500 miles and had brought the party back to Wellington quickly, safely, and in comfort.

The Minister added that be was •very pleased with the running of the car and with the interest taken in the Aotea by people on the railway route to Hawke’s Bay. The popularity of these railcars and the interest taken in them must give the general manager, Mr. G. H. Mackley a great deal of satisfaction, said the Minister. Mr. Mackley was the prime mover in the introduction of railcars into New Zealand.