SEEING AUCKLAND FIRST

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 822, 16 November 1929, Page 10

SEEING AUCKLAND FIRST

COMMERCE TRAIN GETS UNDER WAY NINE DAYS’ TOUR r the: SVS’S Special Reporter.) POKEXO, Today. The Aucklaud Chamber of Commere 1D29 train., freighted ■with 60 City businessmen, ambitious to make closer , contact with agricultural industries., left Auckland at 0 o'clock last even- i ing on a nine days’ tour of the province. the second of its kind. The ' pilgrimage is one arranged by the Auckland Chamber of Commerce in ; association with the Railway Department. So eminently had the 192 S excur- j sion fulfilled its object that the chain-j ber had no hesitation in repeating \ what had passed beyond the stage of j experiment. Before its start the train was inspected by numerous businessmen unable to go and by the general public. Modelled on last year’s train, yet even i more comfortably appointed, the Commerce Special measures up to the best: English and foreign long-distance practice. Heading the chamber tourers are the president, H. T. Merritt, vicepresident, M. Stewart, secretary, Dr. E. P. Neale. Also travelling are A. G. Dunn, past president: George Finn, president of the Manufacturers’ Association: C. M. Croft. Canadian Government Trade Commissioner; Julian B. Foster, American Trade Commissioner: E. A. Paish, British Trade Commissioner, Wellington: Albert Spencer, president of the Employers' Association; J. W. Collins, Department of Industries: E. Casey. Divisional Superintendent of Railways; J. G. Rickerby, District Traffic Manager; D. Rodie, Commercial Manager; A. W. Wellsted, Business Agent; G. G. Stewart, publicity manager: A. H. W. Evenden, supervisor of refreshment branches: C. J. McKenzie, Assistant-Engineer-in-Chief, Public Works Office, Wellington. The first stop was made at Pokeno, where the special parked till the morning. Most of the travellers had disturbed sleep through counting the trains that passed in the night. It seems strange how unconventional the business world sounds and looks in night attire. Day broke nippy, and clear. Half the entourage went to the “refrigerator” car for showers, and half were waiting for the Te Aroha baths. Everyone is out to enjoy himself since leaving the City, and when someone mentioned the transport problem, several hands reached for the emergency train stop signal. We traverse the proposed PokenoPaeroa rail route this morning by motor-car, picking up the train later at the latter terminal. A supply of Suns on the train was greatly appreciated and everybody was reading. The party was welcomed at Ngatea this morning by Mr. C. W. Harris, chairman of the Hauraki Plains County Council, after a pleasant run from Pokeno by car. Details of the proposed new railway were explained en route by Public Works engineers.

FAREWELL TO TRAIN

CROWDS GATHER AT STATION MOST MODERN CARS Crowds flocked to the railway station last evening to bid farewell to tile Chamber of Commerce train which, for the second time, left on its journey of goodwill through the Auckland Province. This most up-to-date train is really a travelling hotel as far as comfort and convenience are concerned. There is a kitchen, a bathroom, a lounge, four sleeping care and two ordinary day cars similar to those which run on the Limited. Tea and toast in the morning and afternoon tea can be prepared quickly and easily and there is a “shop” where almost any commodity can be bought. The lounge is the last word in comfort on a train. Last year, during tlie tour of the train through the province, people were amazed at the ingenuity with which the train had been equipped. There arc 60 businessmen, Government officials and Press representatives on board the train this year. The tour will end at Auckland on Sunday, November 24.