RAIL COMPARISONS

Hokitika Guardian, 14 January 1931, Page 8

RAIL COMPARISONS

SOUTH AFRICAN’S VIEWS. IMPRESSION 0F f DOMINION. A comparison between the New Zealand and the South African railway systems was made recently by Mr W. T. Harrison, a retired South African railway official, who, with his wi.e, is making a tour of the world. The promptness of the New Zealand trains in both Arrival and departure impressed him, and he said that the speed compared very favourably witli* that of the South African railways, the gauge being the same in both countries. He found the officials here' were very willing to give any information that was* requested. Although the railway travel here was quite Comfortable, f ifb,, could not compare with the South African rail coaches, which were-much larger and much more comfortable than the New Zealand ivehicles.,;:.((UG He had noted the tremendous amount of motor traffic in competition with the railways, running side by side with the trains. New Zealand roads were very much better than those of South Africa, and he had had his first trip upon a concrete road at Auckland. South Africa had had road and rail in competition, but this had now been got over by various means. All the members of the railway staffs } there had sworn not to patronise the firms which did not send .their goods by rail, he said. •_ ' : Mr Harrison bad served under six railway administrations during his 45 years of service. He lias been a member of the Pretoria Hospital Board, and being a keen bowler, has been president of the Pretoria District Bowling League, a member of the council, and a member of t'lie Transvaal Bowling Executive. Mi’s Harrison take s an interest in her husband’s sport, and is president of the ladies’ section of the Pretoria League. The beauty of the Wanganui River amazed him, and he said that be did not expect to see anything to equal the portion between the houseboat and Pipiriki. Wairakei, which he described as being “like a great leaky steam boiler,” impressed both of the visitors, as did National Park and The Chateau. Mrs Harrison was struck by the beautiful complexion of the-women, and of the children, and said jokingly that if she had any unmarried sons she would send them to New Zealand to 1 get their wives, knowing full 'veil that j they would secure some tnoroughly i domesticated and very industrious brid- j 68.