A PERMIT SYSTEM

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 14 August 1919, Page 3

A PERMIT SYSTEM

The grumbling and growling in connection with." the railwaycut," and the permit system is general. People complain that the carriages or "coaches," as railway men call them, on the long-distance runs are frequently only half full and sometimes considerably less than 0 half full. One man who was desperately anxious to board one of these trains, a day or two ago r was refused permission to do so because he had omitted to get his ticket 15 minutes before the train left. And when the train did leave this man stood on the platform and watched it glide away, and noted that one of the carriages contained a solitary passenger. On another occasion a man applied to the stationmaster at a little wayside station for a permit and was asked whether the business he had in view was " essential." He said he reckoned it was. " What is it ?" demanded the stationmaster. "I am going away to get married," replied the applicant. He got his permit, the station-master jocularly expressing the hope that when the wedding cake was cut he would not be forgotten. " Everybody is asking how long this permit business is likely to last. But nobody can answer the question —not even Joe Ward. Up to now people travelling within the suburban area are not required to have permits. But in all probability they will soon be required to have them. Meantime some ingenious dodges are being resorted to by some long distance travellers, or would-be travellers. I have heard of a pretty girl who, anxious to get back to her home in Auckland from a small town about 100 miles distant, applied to the station-master of that place for a permit. "It can't be done," said the station-master, after considering the application. The applicant was much concerned. Noting her distress, the railway man added: "If your father, now, was to send you a wire that he was dangerously ill —well, perhaps in that case, I might be able to help you." The applicant expressed her thanks — and retired. Whether she • took the hint, I dont know, but she reached Auckland next day.