FREE LANCE PORTERS

Hokitika Guardian, 26 January 1926, Page 4

FREE LANCE PORTERS

* “RED CAPS” AT AUCKLAND

AUCKLAND, Jan. 23. Since commencing their duties

January 10th. the ‘‘red cap ’ porteis at the Auckland railway station have proved of undoubted service, both to the travelling public and to the station

authorities. The idea of having licensed “outside agents" to deal with the luggage on the station is liv no means new, although this is its introduction to New Zealand. Tn the United States and- on the Continent red-topped caps are familiar sights on nearly’-every railway station.

Tlie innovation has proved a decided success, and is likely to prove even more successful as time goes on. Licenses are given carefully, and the men have to be of very satisfactory type. They work long hours, but have a slack period during the middle of the day. Their duties are to meet every incoming train and to he present before tlie departure of any outgoing train for the- purpose of carrying luggage. They charge for this at a small rate for every article of luggage carried.

The- new porters are proving especially helpful to women travellers, many of whom arrive on the station accompanied by a string of fretful children and carrying a large amount of luggge. It is a pleasant experience for them to be relieved of (lie worry of looking after baggage, and while they are being farewelled liy their friends to have a porter obtain seats for them, and make all their arrangements. When tlie “red caps” first started their duties women were frequently too dumbfounded by their attentions to bother about any such trifles as remuneration. Even now, so one porter said, an old lady will hand over her baggage, and, after everything lias been fixed up for her, beam at him and say, “Thank you kindly.?’